ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NEOTROPICAL ORCHID BEE EUGLOSSA VIRIDISSIMA (HYMENOPTERA: APIDAE) IN FLORIDA

Euglossa dilemma in North Central Florida

This beautiful iridescent green bee surprised me in my black-eyed pea patch two days ago. Working in my vegetable garden, I have seen many insects, an occasional toad or snake passing through. This bee was striking. It does leave an impression after seeing it for the first time. I was born and raised in Southern Florida and have never seen this bee. There are a number of orchids on my patio so I assume this was its attraction to my backyard.

… CFerrara, 27 June, 2019 - 6:37pm

Orchid bee

I just saw one of these bees pollinating my tomato blossoms. Sarasota, FL

… Zita Conner, 18 March, 2018 - 2:38pm

Very interesting.

Thank you for posting this link, Nicole! We have photo evidence of this species here at Bugguide, and also over at WhatsThatBug.com. This document explains the full history of the introduction of this insect.

… Eric R. Eaton, 4 December, 2006 - 12:06pm

Actually not,

i found this out: recently in mexico some Euglossa bees which were thought to be viridissimas were caught and tested. Some bees has three teeth on their mandibles as well as a genetic marker and these were put into a new species, E. dilemma. Apparently up to 10% of the males in E. viridissima have three teeth on their mandibles but they are differently spaced as to the "new species."
I dont know where it is published, but appearently the male euglossa bees found in florida have thee teeth on their mandibles and are thus E. dilemma. I would like to know what sampling they used to verify that all males found had these three teeth. At the next possible chance I will catch one and examine the teeth, I have access to a SEM but I think high magnification photography should suffice.

… Efram Goldberg, 28 August, 2012 - 3:37pm