Euglossa imperialis is a bee species in the family Apidae. It is considered to be one of the most important pollinators to many Neotropical orchid species in mainland tropical America. It is also one of the most common non-parasitic euglossine species in lowland Panama. E. imperialis, unlike many other bee species, is not a social bee in the sense that there is no apparent morphological or physiological division within the species to distinguish individual bees to be part of a worker or reproductive caste.
Euglossa is a genus of orchid bees (Euglossini). Like all their close relatives, they are native to the Neotropics; an introduced population exists in Florida. They are typically bright metallic blue, green, coppery, or golden.
Image: Male Euglossa sp
Image: A female Euglossa hyacinthina shaping resin along the rim of the growing nest envelope JHR 029 015 g 001D
Euglossa villosa
Eggs (inside cells) laid by a solitary bee in a gardening equipment: Wax can be seen in the edges.