Nomada placida

Cresson, 1863

Placid Nomad Bee

Nomada placida is a of kleptoparasitic cuckoo bee in the Apidae, first described by Cresson in 1863. As a member of the Nomada, it exhibits the characteristic lifestyle of nomad bees: females lay their in the nests of species rather than constructing their own nests or collecting pollen. The species is found in North America, though specific details about its host associations, preferences, and status remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.

Nomada placida by (c) Sara Patton, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Sara Patton. Used under a CC-BY license.Nomada placida by (c) Sara Patton, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Sara Patton. Used under a CC-BY license.Nomada placida by (c) Sara Patton, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Sara Patton. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Nomada placida: /noˈmaː.da ˈpla.ki.da/

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Distribution

North America

Diet

Kleptoparasitic; larvae consume pollen and nectar stores collected by . females do not forage for pollen or construct nests.

Ecological Role

Kleptoparasite of other bees; reduces reproductive success by usurping nest resources.

Similar Taxa

  • Nomada goodenianaSimilar yellow-and-black coloration; both are kleptoparasitic nomad bees found in temperate regions, though N. goodeniana is Palearctic while N. placida is Nearctic.
  • Nomada lathburianaSimilar size and general ; both are cuckoo bees that parasitize Andrena mining bees, requiring careful examination of abdominal banding patterns and facial markings for separation.

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Sources and further reading