A new fossil orchid bee in Colombian copal (Hymenoptera, Apidae) ; American Museum novitates, no. 3589

Abstract

A new fossil orchid bee, Euglossa (Euglossa) cotylisca Hinojosa-Díaz and Engel, new species (Anthophila: Apidae: Apinae: Euglossini), is described and figured from a male preserved in Quaternary copal from Santander, Colombia. The bee is the third fossil orchid bee and the first fossil bee formally described from South America. Remarks are made on the distinguishing features of the species as well as its affinity to modern species. Given the young age of the fossil and the fact that this species is not known among the modern fauna, it must be presumed that this species has become relatively recently extinct.