Epicharis (genus)

Taxobox
name = "Epicharis"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Arthropoda
classis = Insecta
ordo = Hymenoptera
subordo = Apocrita
superfamilia = Apoidea
familia = Apidae
subfamilia = Apinae
genus = "Epicharis"
genus_authority = Klug, 1807
subdivision_ranks = Subgenera and species
subdivision = <40 species in 9 subgenera
synonyms ="Eucharis" Dalla Torre, 1896 ("non" Latreille 1804: "lapsus")

The genus "Epicharis" contains fewer than 40 species of large apid bees occurring from the Neotropics (from Mexico to Argentina), most of which possess adaptations for carrying floral oils rather than (or in addition to) pollen or nectar. The floral oils are typically gathered from plants of the family Malpighiaceae, though other plants may be visited. They also commonly gather plant resins for use in nest cell construction.

They are large bees, generally with a black head and mesosoma, and the metasoma is often red, and/or has bright yellow spots or bands. They are distinguished from the closely-related genus "Centris" by two sets of three long, whip-like setae that project backwards from just behind the eyes.