(Verse 1) In Costa Rican sun, a bee takes flight, Euglossa imperialis, a dazzling sight. He gathers scents, a fragrant, potent brew, A perfume blend, unique and ever new. From orchids rare, he sips the volatile air, A courtship gift, beyond compare. (Chorus) The scent he weaves, a story it does tell, Of age and strength, a fitness spell. But science probes, with careful, watchful eye, To find the truth, beneath the perfumed sky. The NLM's database, a wealth of knowledge deep, Unlocks the secrets that the orchid bees do keep. (Verse 2) A mark-recapture study, precise and keen, Observes the bees, their lives unseen. One leg pouch sealed, a snapshot in time, To track the changes, in their fragrant prime. Wing wear reveals, the passage of the years, A silent marker, dispelling doubts and fears. (Chorus) The scent he weaves, a story it does tell, Of age and strength, a fitness spell. But science probes, with careful, watchful eye, To find the truth, beneath the perfumed sky. The NLM's database, a wealth of knowledge deep, Unlocks the secrets that the orchid bees do keep. (Bridge) The young bees boast, a perfume rich and bold, A complex mixture, a story to be told. But older bees, their scents begin to fade, A different message, subtly conveyed. Not lifetime gains, but keenness of the sense, A quicker mind, a sharper recompense. (Chorus) The scent he weaves, a story it does tell, Of age and strength, a fitness spell. But science probes, with careful, watchful eye, To find the truth, beneath the perfumed sky. The NLM's database, a wealth of knowledge deep, Unlocks the secrets that the orchid bees do keep
