Four orchid bee species recorded for the first time in Ecuador

29 Abr 2025
Our Canandé Reserve continues to showcase the extraordinary results of natural regeneration, consistently surprising the scientific community after more than 20 years of conservation efforts led by Jocotoco. In a recent study conducted by Ecuadors National Institute of Biodiversity (INABIO), four orchid bee species were recorded in Ecuador for the first time. This remarkable discovery highlights the exceptional natural wealth of our protected area, as their presence and abundance serve as indicators of habitat quality and overall ecosystem health.  

These bees, identified as Euglossa bursigera, Euglossa crassipunctata, Euglossa villosiventris, and Eufriesea macroglossa, play a crucial role in the pollination of neotropical forests. With their brilliant metallic green, blue, and violet hues, they resemble tiny living jewels gliding through the canopy in search of floral essences.

The research was conducted in our Canandé Reserve, located in northwestern Ecuador within the Chocó-Darién biodiversity hotspotone of the most diverse and threatened regions on the planet. To capture these elusive pollinators, researchers used traps impregnated with aromatic compounds, strategically placed at different forest levels, from the understory to the treetops, over 10 meters high. After six days of sampling, the collected specimens were analyzed in the laboratory and compared with reference collections from INABIO and the Smithsonian Institution.

One of the most astonishing findings is that these species had never been documented in Ecuador before. Some of them had previously been recorded over 1,000 kilometers away, significantly expanding our knowledge of their distribution.

The research team, composed of Alexandra D. Hernández Hernández, Marcio L. de Oliveira, David R. Díaz-Guevara, Cristina Alarcón-Ortiz, and Alex Pazmiño-Palomino, conducted this study with the support of the Jocotoco Conservation Foundation and INABIO.

These findings reinforce our commitment to protecting Ecuador's Chocó, an ecosystem where every species plays a fundamental role. We will continue to explore and defend this natural treasure, but we need your support. Your donation enables us to keep researching, restoring habitats, and protecting the wildlife that depends on these forests. Make your contribution today and be part of the conservation of Ecuador's Chocó!