Knob-fronted Cuckoo-Orchid bee
CR

Knob-fronted Cuckoo-Orchid bee

Exaerete frontalis

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exaerete_frontalis

Overview

Exaerete frontalis is a kleptoparasitic species of euglossine bees.

Exaerete frontalis faces severe population decline primarily due to widespread deforestation and habitat fragmentation across its limited range in Central and South American lowland forests. As a cleptoparasitic orchid bee that depends on host species like Eulaema and Eufriesea for reproduction, it is particularly vulnerable to cascading effects when host populations decline from pesticide use and agricultural conversion. The species' specialized ecological niche and dependence on intact forest corridors for maintaining host-parasite relationships makes it extremely sensitive to landscape-level habitat disruption.

Threat summary

Habitat

Exaerete frontalis inhabits lowland tropical rainforests and humid forest edges from sea level to approximately 800 meters elevation, ranging from southern Mexico through Central America to northern South America. This cleptoparasitic orchid bee requires intact forest systems that support diverse populations of its host species, particularly large-bodied euglossine bees that nest in tree cavities and rotting wood.

Other threatened species in Apidae

Kirby's Nomad BeeCR

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Nomada subcornuta

Unknown
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Guernsey Nomad Bee

Nomada similis

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Flat-ridged Nomad Bee

Nomada obtusifrons

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Threatened in Belize

EN

Baird's Tapir

Tapirus bairdii

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Yucatan Brown Brocket

Mazama pandora

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Bauhinia dipetala

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Blakea calycularis

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Knob-fronted Cuckoo-Orchid bee classified as Critically Endangered?
Knob-fronted Cuckoo-Orchid bee is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Exaerete frontalis faces severe population decline primarily due to widespread deforestation and habitat fragmentation across its limited range in Central and South American lowland forests. As a cleptoparasitic orchid bee that depends on host species like Eulaema and Eufriesea for reproduction, it is particularly vulnerable to cascading effects when host populations decline from pesticide use and agricultural conversion. The species' specialized ecological niche and dependence on intact forest corridors for maintaining host-parasite relationships makes it extremely sensitive to landscape-level habitat disruption.
Where does Knob-fronted Cuckoo-Orchid bee live?
Knob-fronted Cuckoo-Orchid bee occurs in Belize, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Ecuador (plus 10 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Knob-fronted Cuckoo-Orchid bee?
The main threats to Knob-fronted Cuckoo-Orchid bee are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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