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Orchid Bee

uncommon

Orchid Bee

Euglossa dilemma

Habitat
Neotropical lowland rainforests of Central and South America
Body length
13 mm
Order
Hymenoptera · Apidae

Weird but real

Males collect scents from orchids and store them in hollow hind legs, brewing a custom perfume to woo mates.

Why it's cool

A living gemstone that literally bottles fragrance in its legs — the only bee that curates its own cologne.

Photographs

Dilemma Orchid Bee - Euglossa dilemma, Arthur Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Boynton Beach, Florida
Judy Gallagher · CC BY 2.0 · source
Dilemma Orchid Bee - Euglossa dilemma, Arthur Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Boynton Beach, Florida
Judy Gallagher · CC BY 2.0 · source