A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Euglossa viridissima
About an inch long, very bright blue/green color, would fly and launch to glass door to leave (# 3 picture), I released it after the pictures.
Placed an ID based on how much it looks like the Orchid Bee, Euglossa viridissima. But any input from a more knowledgeable member, would be appreciated.
Spotted on Jan 22, 2013
Submitted on Jan 24, 2013
13 Comments
Yes bayucca, you are right, It does look like a Orchid Bee, but the the thicker legs does bother me also!
Bee - probably orchid bee (although I am not a bee expert).
Do a google search on orchid bee, and look at the images.
John La Salle,Thank you, I can not wait!! Wasp? Bee? what is it?!
Definitely a bee not a wasp. I would agree with orchid bee. Very beautiful.
Hmm. It was a good guess. I guess the search continues!
I agree that it looks much more like an Orchid Bee than the other guesses we have made so far. The hind legs aren't quite the same as the images I have seen but I am not familiar with Costa Rican species.
ForestDragon, I checked tons of pictures of the Sweat Bee, Halictidae, in lots of pictures it does look like it but I could not find the red in the abdomen in any?! I also checked the Cuckoo Wasp, and I do not think it is either any more, and no it never roll into a ball, I was on top of it, it could have easily have gone into defense mode!
I will check for the Orchid Bee, Euglossa sp., bayucca suggestion next.
Reminds me somehow of an Orchid Bee, Euglossa sp., but I am not very familiar with bees and wasp. I am a little bit confused about the "spiky" end of the body and the thicker legs.
Gilma, I had considered Cuckoo Wasp as well but one distinctive feature of Cuckoo Wasps is that they have a concave ventral abdomen that allows them to roll up into a ball as a defense. This insect does not have that feature, from what I can tell in the photos.
It also looks a bit like the Cuckoo Wasp, Chrysididae... ?!
An ID would be appreciated, ForestDragon, I just do not know what to make of it. I love insects but I am very bad at IDing them. I will give that a try.
The color is amazing! Nice series!
I am leaning towards a species of Sweat Bee from Family Halictidae.
Thank you so much, harsuame. I thought it was so good looking!
Espectaculares colores felicidades::: bella captura