Nomad Bees

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Nomadini: /noʊˈmædɪnaɪ/

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Summary

Nomada are a genus of kleptoparasitic bees known for their distinctive appearance and behavioral adaptations for parasitizing other solitary ground-nesting bees, particularly from the genus Andrena. They demonstrate complex behaviors for locating and assessing hosts' nests for parasitism.

Physical Characteristics

Nomada bees are often wasp-like in appearance with predominant colors of red, black, and yellow. They may have smoky wings or wing tips, and exhibit variations in appearance including stripeless forms or those with yellow or white markings. Females lack a pollen-carrying scopa and have reduced body hair with a thick exoskeleton, while males display a notched pygidial plate.

Identification Tips

Look for the mandible and eye alignment; the eye is slightly behind the center over the mandible base. The apex of the marginal cell is sharply pointed. There are usually three submarginal cells, with the third being the shortest. Females can be identified by the absence of scopa and specialized patches of hair at the tip of the abdomen.

Habitat

Nomada species can be found in various habitats where their host bees, primarily ground-nesting types, reside. They prefer areas with good floral sources, which corresponds with the nesting habits of their hosts.

Distribution

Nomada bees occur worldwide, with a significant number of species in temperate regions.

Diet

Adults typically feed on nectar from flowers, though they do not collect pollen due to parasitic behavior.

Life Cycle

The lifecycle of Nomada includes a holometabolous process: egg, larvae, pupa, and adult. The female lays 1-2 eggs in a host cell; larvae then kill host larvae and consume stored provisions.

Reproduction

Nomada females lay eggs in the nests of host bees, primarily during the host's foraging period. Some species may lay multiple eggs in a host cell.

Ecosystem Role

As kleptoparasites, Nomada bees play a role in regulating the populations of their host species, and their foraging activities may indirectly affect plant pollination dynamics.

Evolution

The genus Nomada, belonging to the subfamily Nomadinae within Apidae, has evolved a specialized kleptoparasitic lifestyle, diverging from non-parasitic bee behaviors.

Similar Taxa

• Andrena
• Agapostemon
• Melitta
• Eucera
• Exomalopsis

Misconceptions

Nomada are sometimes mistaken for solitary bees, but they are parasitic and do not collect pollen, which differentiates them from true solitary bee species.

Tags

• Nomadini
• Nomada
• bees
• kleptoparasite
• pollination