Current potential geographic distribution of an extremely rare and threatened orchid bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) from eastern Brazil, including a new geographic record

Orchid bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) are exclusively Neotropical insects that occur naturally from Mexico to Argentina. Eufriesea species are the least studied among the five genera because they are often univoltine and active for a few months. Eufriesea brasilianorum is seldom collected and is one of the least-known species. We analyzed the data for this rare and threatened species using Maxent and an ensemble of models to determine distribution hypotheses for E. brasilianorum in Brazil. A small area of high suitability was found in eastern Brazil, including Atlantic Forest remnants. More studies must be developed to validate our predictions for E. brasilianorum . Future validation of the predictions obtained for E. brasilianorum will allow further discussion to list E. brasilianorum as a threatened species in the most recent National Action Plan for Conservation of Pollinator Insects Threatened by Extinction.