Eufriesea schmidtiana is an orchid bee species found in Central America, from Belize to Colombia. The extent of occurrence (EOO), based on known records, is at least 320,000 km². The species has been recorded in about 45 localities so far, though few survey efforts for bees have been carried out in the region. Therefore, the area of occupancy is unknown. Within the known range of the species, urbanization and agriculture has been observed, so it is possible localized threats are acting on this species. However, given the species is found in several protected areas in Costa Rica and does not meet the thresholds for listing under a threatened category due to its known distribution parameters, it is unlikely this species is threatened with extinction at this time. Therefore, it is considered Least Concern. A reassessment should be carried out when more information is available.

This species is reportedly found from Belize to Colombia (Roubik and Hanson 2004, Moure and Melo 2022), though occurrence records could only be found for Costa Rica, Panama, and Honduras. There is also one occurrence record in French Guiana, which may be valid (GBIF.org 2023). In Costa Rica it has been recorded in the provinces of Guanacaste, Heredia, Alajuela, Limon, San Jose, and Puntarenas; in Honduras in the province of Colon; and in Panama in the provinces of Colon and Panama (ECOSUR 2020, GBIF.org 2023). It is possible the species is also found in Nicaragua, but it has not yet been reported there (Hinojosa-Díaz and Engel 2012).

Based on known collection records, this species has an extent of occurrence (EOO) of at least 320,000 km². The area of occupancy (AOO) is unknown, as this species has not been well surveyed, and the distribution is not well understood.

Occurrence records for this and other bee species native to Mesoamerica, were compiled by experts from el Colegio de la Frontera Sur (Ecosur). The resulting database, which contains 355,445 records for 1,387 bee species, includes records from surveys conducted by the Ecosur Bee Team as well as data compiled from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (ECOSUR 2020, GBIF.org 2020).

The population size and trend are not known for this species, as no studies have been conducted to examine population trends in the Mesoamerican bee fauna. In a bee data compilation effort, el Colegio de la Frontera Sur (Ecosur) found 237 specimen records for this species, from 45 discrete localities. This is average compared to other bee species. However, the number of collection records may not accurately reflect prevalence, as adults in the genus Eufriesea are typically very seasonal, and so are not well represented in collections (Roubik and Hanson 2004). 

This species is in the tribe Euglossini. Euglossine bees, also known as orchid bees, are large-bodied bees that are important to the ecology of New World tropical forests. They are therefore comparatively well studied, compared to other bee taxa in the region. Their ability to fly long distances makes they especially effective pollinators (Suni and Brosi 2012). They inhabit tropical and subtropical habitats, primarily forests, in lowland areas to 1600m, in this case. Some studies suggest they are particularly sensitive to deforestation because they live under tree canopies (Roubik and Hanson 2004).

Orchid bees have very long tongues. Despite their long proboscis, females are generalists and will nectar at a variety of flowers. Males on the other hand specialize on orchids, certain Araceae, Gesnericaceae, and Solanaceae. Males visit orchids, rotting logs and certain fungi, among other things to gather scent compounds, which they store on modified hind legs, that may be important in species recognition and mate selection (Michener 2007). This species has been observed visiting a variety of orchid species, including, Catasetum species, Coeliopsis hyacinthosoma, Dressleria kerryae, Houlletia tigrina, Pesteria species, Stanhopea costaricensis, and S. econuta. Attractants include cineole, skatole, and vanillin (Roubik and Hanson 2004).

Bees in this genus are cavity nesters, building nests in protected crevices or cavities in rocky banks, under buildings, in pre-existing cavities in rotting wood, and in termite nests, for example (Michener 2007). Nests are either a linear or branched series of cylindrical cells constructed out of resin mixed with bark fragments (Michener 2007). Some species are solitary, but others will nest in aggregations, with several to many females creating cells. There is no evidence of social organization. Nests of this species are unknown (Roubik and Hanson 2004). 

Direct threats to this species are not well understood. However, major threats to bees in Mesoamerica, such as urbanization, deforestation, habitat fragmentation, exotic species, changes in habitat suitability due to climate change, and agricultural intensification resulting in increased use of agrochemicals, likely adversely impact this species (Freitas et al. 2009, Vides-Borrel et al. 2019, Martínez-López et al. 2021). It is thought that Euglossine bees are particularly sensitive to deforestation, because they live under the canopies of trees (Roubik and Hanson 2004).

Deforestation due to logging, firewood gathering, charcoal production, clearing for cattle pasture and agricultural expansion is a major threat to Neotropical ecosystems (Freitas et al. 2009). Removal of native vegetation is thought to adversely impact bee abundance and diversity due to the loss or change of floral resources and nesting sites (Kremen et al. 2002­), especially for above ground nesting species like this one (Williams et al. 2010). 

Land cover data, from 2015, within the range of this species shows some degree of urbanization and agriculture, especially around the population center of San Jose and a deforestation rate of  3.3 %, from 2008 to 2018, has been estimated (ESA Climate Change Initiative and UCLouvain 2022, Global Forest Watch 2014).

While the scope and magnitude of these threats are uncertain, continuing decline in the quality and availability of habitat is inferred. More research is necessary to determine the impacts of these threats on this species. 

This species is not known to be utilized.

There are no known conservation actions in place for this species though many of the occurrences are found within the bounds of protected areas in Costa Rica, including Corcovado National Park, Savegre Biosphere Reserve and La Amistad National Park. Research on the distribution, population size and trend, habitats are ecology and threats is necessary to ensure this species is not at risk of extinction. For the conservation of bee species generally, the protection and restoration of native flora is recommended. Specific measures for safeguarding or improving habitat include agricultural practices that preserve bee nesting sites in the ground, controlled fire management practices, and decreased use of insecticides (Ayala et al. 1996). The encouragement of initiatives for the conservation, creation, and restoration of potential habitats and floral resources, such as rural gardens and field margins, is also recommended. This will not only benefit this species, but all pollinators and floral visitors.