“Harley”
the orchid bee
Scientific
name: Apidae euglossini
Geographic location: French Guiana, South America
Artist: Jessa Huebing-Reitinger
Medium: Oil on canvas 96” x 96” 2003
Performance venue: Union Station, Kansas City, MO. USA
“Harley”
the orchid bee was collected in 1997 by Dr. Steven Ashe in
French Guiana, South America. “Harley” is a solitary
bee that does not have the capacity to sting as do most of
the bees that we are familiar with. This particular species
will be found guarding the bucket orchid (Stanhopia alliance).
This orchid will exude a wax from it’s petals for only
ten minutes of its flowers’ lifespan. This wax is a
potent pheromone to the female bee and is highly prized by
the male who will guard his orchid with the greatest tenacity,
then when it is time, rub himself in the wax to attract his
mate.
The portrait of “Harley” took Jessa seven weeks
to complete and was quite challenging due to his complex form
and iridescent exoskeleton. There are many small details,
such as the three orange, glass-like domes on his forehead.
These are his simple eyes, scientifically known as ocelli.
“Harley” is scaled 150 times larger than his actual
size.
