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Issue Apidologie
Volume 35, Number 3, May-June 2004
Page(s) 283 - 291
DOI 10.1051/apido:2004013

Apidologie 35 (2004) 283-291
DOI: 10.1051/apido:2004013

Functional morphology in male euglossine bees and their ability to spray fragrances (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Euglossini)

Benjamin Bembé

Zoologische Staatssammlung München (ZSM), Münchhausenstr. 21, 81247 München, Germany
(Received 10 January 2003; revised 12 July 2003; accepted 8 August 2003)

Abstract - Male orchid bees (Euglossini) collect fragrant substances from exogenous sources and accumulate them in modified hind tibiae. The subsequent fate of these fragrances is unknown. Here, a new hypothesis is presented that orchid bee males are capable of actively spraying off the stored fragrant substances. The fragrances are hypothesized to be transferred to the mid tibial tufts, which are then held such that when the hind wings are vibrated the jugal combs hit the tibial tufts and spray off the fragrances. To test this hypothesis, the morphology of mid tibial tufts and hind wing jugal combs was examined on male Euglossini from all known genera. The functional link between the two morphological structures could be established, including the generation of aerosol clouds. It is postulated that during the so-called "ventilating" behavior at their courtship sites the animals spray fragrances and this hypothesis is discussed with respect to previously published observations and assumptions.


Key words: Euglossini / tibial morphology / fragrance collecting / fragrance spraying / male display

Corresponding author: Benjamin Bembé benjaminbembe@gmx.de

© INRA, EDP Sciences, DIB, AGIB 2004


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