Range

• The genus Eufriesea is distributed from Mexico through Central America and throughout much of South America, reaching northern Argentina.

• Numerous species occur in Mexico, including along the Pacific coast of Guerrero and the Zihuatanejo region.

• Greatest diversity is found in tropical forests.

Habitat

• Inhabits tropical dry forests, tropical rainforests, cloud forests, woodland edges, secondary forests, orchards, and flowering gardens.

• Females typically nest in pre-existing cavities such as hollow stems, abandoned beetle burrows, tree cavities, or crevices, constructing brood cells from resin and other plant materials.

• Adults are most abundant where flowering plants are plentiful.

Behaviour

• Solitary, with each female building and provisioning her own nest.

• Active during the day, visiting flowers to collect nectar and pollen.

• Males are famous for collecting fragrant compounds from orchids and many other flowers, storing these scents in enlarged hind-leg chambers.

• During courtship, males release these perfumes to attract females, making them some of the few insects known to deliberately collect and use fragrances in mating displays.

Size

• Body length: 15–30 mm (0.6–1.2 in), depending on the species.

• Females are usually slightly larger than males.