Nomada cressonii

Robertson, 1893

Cresson's Nomad Bee

Nomada cressonii is a kleptoparasitic cuckoo bee in the Apidae, native to North America. As a member of the Nomada, it exhibits the characteristic of laying in the nests of species rather than constructing its own nest or collecting pollen. The species is named after entomologist Ezra Townsend Cresson. Like other nomad bees, females likely locate host nests using chemical cues and possess reduced body hair compared to pollen-collecting bees.

Nomada cressonii male by Jacy Lucier. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Nomada cressonii female 1 by Jacy Lucier. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Nomada cressonii female by Jacy Lucier. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Nomada cressonii: /nɔˈmaːda krɛˈsoni.aɪ/

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Identification

Nomada cressonii can be distinguished from other Nomada by specific morphological features typical of the , including reduced body hair and often striking yellow, red, and black color patterns. Accurate identification to species level requires examination of detailed morphological characters such as facial markings, thoracic patterns, and genitalia structure. The species may be confused with other Nomada species in the same geographic region; precise determination typically requires taxonomic knowledge or reference to original species descriptions.

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Habitat

Suitable for Nomada cressonii includes areas where its occur, as the presence of host nests is essential for . Nomad bees generally inhabit open, sunny environments including meadows, grasslands, and forest edges where their Andrena or other host bee species nest in the ground.

Distribution

North America, with confirmed records from Vermont, United States. The is part of the Nearctic fauna of nomad bees.

Host Associations

Andrena - kleptoparasiteLikely , as Nomada are typically specialized of Andrena mining bees

Ecological Role

As a kleptoparasite, Nomada cressonii functions as a natural regulator of its . By parasitizing host nests, it reduces host reproductive success and may influence host and foraging . The species contributes to bee diversity and represents an evolutionary specialization within the bee fauna.

Human Relevance

Nomada cressonii has limited direct human relevance but contributes to scientific understanding of and coevolutionary relationships. The may serve as an indicator of healthy bee and intact - relationships in natural .

Similar Taxa

Nomada flavoguttataSimilar member with comparable kleptoparasitic lifestyle and coloration patterns; distinguished by specific markings and distribution
EpeolusRelated cuckoo bee with similar parasitic and reduced hair; distinguished by different associations (typically Colletes bees) and morphological details

More Details

Nomenclature

The epithet 'cressonii' honors Ezra Townsend Cresson (1838-1896), a prominent American entomologist who made significant contributions to the study of Hymenoptera, particularly bees and . Robertson described this species in 1893.