Nomada gracilis
Cresson, 1863
Gracile Nomad
Nomada gracilis is a cleptoparasitic in the Apidae, first described by Cresson in 1863. Like other members of the Nomada, it does not construct nests or collect pollen, instead laying in the nests of bee species. The larvae consume the host's provisions and often kill the host larva. This species is recorded from North America, with specific observations documented from Vermont, United States.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Nomada gracilis: /nɔˈmaːda ɡraˈkiːlis/
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Images
Distribution
North America; specifically recorded from Vermont, United States. Distribution records are sparse.
Ecological Role
As a (cuckoo bee), N. gracilis functions as a nest of other , potentially regulating . Its parasitic lifestyle reduces its own energetic investment in offspring provisioning while exploiting the foraging efforts of host bees.
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- GBIF taxonomy match
- iNaturalist taxon
- NCBI Taxonomy
- Catalogue of Life
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