Euglossine Bees

2020

The euglossine bee is only found in Central and South America.

Naturally pollinated vanilla orchids require precise timing and a specific bee—the euglossine bee, or “orchid bee.” Though vanilla orchids have a two-month pollination window, each flower blooms for less than a day—opening before sunrise, closing by noon, and withering by night.  

Euglossine bees pollinate orchids by lifting the rostellum and transferring pollen from the anther to the stigma. Since most of the world’s vanilla is grown outside of the bees’ home in Central and South America, hand-pollination is required.