Image Credit: Ricardo A B
Orchid Bees: (Apidae: subfamily Euglossinae: Euglossa)Not native to PNW
The males of this group are mind-blowingly iridescent green (mostly, but other colors as well) large to small bees. They are found throughout the New World tropical regions. Though the females are generalist-feeders with simple hind-leg pollen transporting hairs, the males are famous for collecting oils from orchid flowers to use as aphrodisiac scents to competitively attract females within a forest arena (a so-called “lek”). The hind tibia of the male is massively expanded to transport and chemically alter the scent mixtures.
The gorgeous orchid-bee, Euglossa. Notice the unique hind leg of the male designed to carry and alter the chemistry of the orchid scents.