The orchid bees (Euglossini), found only in the New World tropics, are among the most spectacular of the bees, with their relatively large size, brilliant metallic coloration and exceptionally long tongues thought to have evolved as an adaptation for nectar collection from long-corolla flowers. In spite of their flamboyant appearance they are exceedingly difficult to study in nature, and therefore most aspects of their biology are little understood. Here we present new data on the nest structure and nesting ecology of Eulaema meriana