Diversity and distribution of orchid bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae, Euglossini) in Belize.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Orchid bees are abundant and widespread in the Neotropics, where males are important pollinators of orchids they visit to collect fragrant chemicals later used to court females. Assemblages of orchid bees have been intensively surveyed in parts of Central America, but less so in Belize, where we studied them during the late-wet and early-dry seasons of 2015-2020.

Methods

Using bottle-traps baited with chemicals known to attract a variety of orchid bee species, we conducted surveys at sites varying in latitude, historical annual precipitation, elevation, and the presence of nearby agricultural activities. Each sample during each survey period consisted of the same number of traps and the same set of chemical baits, their positions randomized along transects.

Res

SUBMITTER: O'Neill KM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9948752 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature