Paranomada velutina

Linsley, 1939

Black-velvet Flat-Nomad

Paranomada velutina is a cuckoo bee in the Apidae, described by Linsley in 1939. It belongs to the Nomadinae, a group of bees that are (nest ) of other bees. The is known from the southwestern United States and Mexico. Like other nomadine bees, it lacks pollen-collecting structures and relies on bees to provision its young.

Paranomada velutina, m, arizona, face 2014-08-08-14.19.04 ZS PMax (15061186972) by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Used under a Public domain license.

Paranomada velutina, f, arizona, angle 2014-08-09-15.21.39 ZS PMax (15059501106) by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Used under a Public domain license.

Paranomada velutina, f, arizona, face 2014-08-09-15.30.33 ZS PMax (14895812689) by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Used under a Public domain license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Paranomada velutina: /ˌpæɹəˈnɒməˌdɑː vɪˈluːtɪnə/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Members of Paranomada can be distinguished from related nomadine by their relatively flat or depressed facial profile (hence 'Flat-Nomad' in the ) and specific details of wing venation and body sculpturing. P. velutina specifically may be separated from by subtle differences in coloration, , and possibly geographic distribution, though precise diagnostic features require examination.

Images

Habitat

Arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico. Specific associations are poorly documented, but nomadine bees generally occur in areas where their bees are active.

Distribution

United States (southwestern states) and Mexico. GBIF records indicate presence in Middle America and North America.

Host Associations

Unknown - As a member of Nomadinae, P. velutina is a nest (cuckoo bee) that lays in the nests of other . The specific (s) are not documented in available sources. Related Paranomada species are associated with ground-nesting bees in the Apidae.

Behavior

As a cleptoparasitic , females likely enter nests to lay in provisioned by the host. The larva consumes the host's pollen/nectar provisions and typically kills the host egg or larva. are likely active during the period of their host .

Ecological Role

Acts as a regulator of its . Like other cleptoparasitic bees, it contributes to bee dynamics and may influence host nesting and distribution.

Similar Taxa

Other Paranomada species share the flat facial profile and general body form. Differentiation requires examination of subtle morphological characters.
Other Nomadinae (cuckoo bees)Many nomadine bees have similar slender, -like appearance and dark coloration with pale markings. Paranomada is distinguished by its depressed and facial structure.
TriepeolusAnother of nomadine cuckoo bees with similar size and coloration; differs in facial profile and specific wing venation details.

More Details

Taxonomic history

Described by E. Gorton Linsley in 1939. The Paranomada was established to accommodate with a notably flattened or depressed facial region compared to related nomadine genera.

Observation rarity

Only 9 observations recorded on iNaturalist as of the knowledge cutoff, suggesting either genuine rarity, cryptic habits, or under-sampling of its arid range.