Cuckoo-bee
Guides
Nomada hemphilli
Nomada hemphilli is a species of nomad bee in the family Apidae. It was described by Cockerell in 1903 and is found in Central America and North America. As a member of the genus Nomada, it is a kleptoparasitic bee that lays its eggs in the nests of host bee species. The genus is known for males exhibiting 'antennal grabbing' behavior during copulation, where antennae are wound around the female to transfer pheromones, though this specific behavior has not been directly documented for N. hemphilli.
Nomada imbricata
Imbricate Cuckoo Nomad Bee
Nomada imbricata is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Apidae, first described by Smith in 1854. Like all Nomada species, it is a kleptoparasite that lays its eggs in the nests of host bee species, primarily members of the genus Andrena. The species exhibits the characteristic reduced hairiness of cuckoo bees, having lost the branched body hairs used by pollen-collecting bees. Its common name "Imbricate" refers to the overlapping scale-like pattern of its integument.
Nomada luteoloides
Black-and-yellow Nomad Bee
Nomada luteoloides is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Apidae, native to North America. As a kleptoparasite, it does not construct its own nest or collect pollen, instead laying eggs in the nests of host bee species. The female offspring develop by consuming the host's provisions and often the host egg or larva. The species is part of the diverse Nomada genus, which contains numerous cuckoo bee species that parasitize various ground-nesting bees, particularly in the genus Andrena.
Nomada maculata
Spotted Nomad Bee
Nomada maculata, the Spotted Nomad Bee, is a kleptoparasitic bee species in the family Apidae. Like other members of the genus Nomada, it does not construct its own nest but instead lays eggs in the nests of host bee species, primarily ground-nesting bees in the genus Andrena. The species is found in North America, with documented records from the northeastern United States including Vermont. As a cuckoo bee, females enter host nests to deposit eggs, and the resulting larvae consume the host's pollen provisions and may destroy the host egg or larva.
Nomada mutans
Nomada mutans is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Apidae, first described by Cockerell in 1910. As a member of the genus Nomada, it exhibits kleptoparasitic behavior, laying eggs in the nests of host bee species rather than constructing its own nest or provisioning offspring. The species is part of a diverse genus of over 850 described species worldwide, many of which are poorly known biologically.
Nomada obliterata
Obliterated Nomad
Nomada obliterata is a species of kleptoparasitic cuckoo bee in the family Apidae, first described by Cresson in 1863. As a member of the genus Nomada, it is presumed to lay eggs in the nests of host bee species, though specific host associations for this particular species have not been documented. The species is known from North America, with confirmed records from Vermont, USA.
Nomada placida
Placid Nomad Bee
Nomada placida is a species of kleptoparasitic cuckoo bee in the family Apidae, first described by Cresson in 1863. As a member of the genus Nomada, it exhibits the characteristic lifestyle of nomad bees: females lay their eggs in the nests of host bee species rather than constructing their own nests or collecting pollen. The species is found in North America, though specific details about its host associations, habitat preferences, and population status remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.
Nomada pygmaea
Pygmy Nomad
Nomada pygmaea is a species of kleptoparasitic 'cuckoo' bee in the family Apidae, first described by Cresson in 1863. As a member of the genus Nomada, it lays eggs in the nests of host bee species rather than constructing its own nest or collecting pollen. The species is found in North America, with confirmed records from Vermont and other regions. Like other nomad bees, it exhibits the characteristic wasp-like appearance resulting from reduced hair coverage, an adaptation associated with its parasitic lifestyle.
Nomada suavis
Suave Nomad Bee
Nomada suavis is a species of nomad bee in the family Apidae, found in North America. As a member of the genus Nomada, it is a kleptoparasitic cuckoo bee that does not construct its own nest or collect pollen. The species was described by Cresson in 1878. Like other nomad bees, it likely lays its eggs in the nests of host bee species, though specific host relationships for N. suavis have not been documented.
Nomada texana
Texas Nomad Bee
Nomada texana, commonly known as the Texas Nomad Bee, is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Apidae. It is native to the southern and western United States and Mexico. As a kleptoparasite, it does not build its own nest or collect pollen, instead laying eggs in the nests of host bee species. Males measure 7.5–8.0 mm and females 8–9 mm. The species exhibits the black and yellow coloration typical of the genus, with reddish legs.
Nomada tiftonensis
Tifton Nomad Bee
Nomada tiftonensis is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Apidae, first described by Cockerell in 1903. As a member of the genus Nomada, it exhibits kleptoparasitic behavior, laying eggs in the nests of host bee species rather than constructing its own nests or collecting pollen. The species is known from scattered records in the eastern and midwestern United States, including Michigan and Vermont. Like other nomad bees, it likely relies on visual and chemical cues to locate host nests.
Nomada utahensis
Utah Nomad Bee
Nomada utahensis is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Apidae, first described by Moalif in 1988. As a member of the genus Nomada, it exhibits kleptoparasitic behavior, laying eggs in the nests of host bee species rather than constructing its own nests. The species is known from North America, with limited observational records available.
Nomada vegana
nomad bee
Nomada vegana is a species of kleptoparasitic nomad bee in the family Apidae, first described by Cockerell in 1903. As a member of the genus Nomada, it exhibits the characteristic cuckoo bee lifestyle of laying eggs in the nests of host bee species rather than constructing its own nests or collecting pollen. The species is known from Central America and North America, with iNaturalist recording over 1,800 observations. Like other Nomada species, it likely targets nests of Andrena or related ground-nesting bees as hosts.
Nomada verecunda
Nomada verecunda is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Apidae, first described by Cresson in 1879. As a member of the genus Nomada, it exhibits kleptoparasitic behavior, laying eggs in the nests of host bee species rather than constructing its own nest or collecting pollen. The species is known from North America, though specific details regarding its biology, host associations, and conservation status remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Nomada vicina
Neighborly Nomad
Nomada vicina is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Apidae, first described by Ezra Townsend Cresson in 1863. As a member of the genus Nomada, it exhibits kleptoparasitic behavior, laying eggs in the nests of host bee species rather than constructing its own nests. The species is known from North America with confirmed records from Vermont and other regions. Like other Nomada species, it likely targets nests of mining bees in the genus Andrena. The common name "Neighborly Nomad" reflects both its parasitic lifestyle and its taxonomic proximity to related species.
Nomada vincta
Nomada vincta is a species of cuckoo bee (kleptoparasite) in the family Apidae, native to North America. As a member of the genus Nomada, it is presumed to exhibit the characteristic kleptoparasitic behavior of laying eggs in the nests of host bee species, though specific host associations for this species are not well documented. The species was described by Thomas Say in 1837. Like other nomad bees, it likely lacks the branched body hairs typical of pollen-collecting bees, giving it a wasp-like appearance.
Nomada zebrata
Nomada zebrata is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Apidae, first described by Cresson in 1878. Like other members of the genus Nomada, it is a kleptoparasite that lays its eggs in the nests of host bee species rather than building its own nest or collecting pollen. The species exhibits the characteristic wasp-like appearance typical of cuckoo bees, with reduced body hair compared to pollen-collecting bees. It is native to North America.
Nomadinae
cuckoo bees, nomad and related cuckoo bees
Nomadinae is a subfamily of bees in the family Apidae, commonly known as cuckoo bees. All members are obligate kleptoparasites that lay eggs in the nests of other bee species. They lack pollen-carrying structures and often exhibit wasp-like morphology. The subfamily is cosmopolitan, with diverse host associations across multiple bee families. Females enter host nests when unoccupied and deposit eggs into host cell walls; emerging larvae kill the host offspring and consume the stored provisions.
Nomadini
Nomad bees
Nomadini is a tribe of cleptoparasitic bees within the subfamily Nomadinae, family Apidae. The tribe contains the genus Nomada, one of the largest genera of cuckoo bees with over 850 species worldwide. These bees are obligate cleptoparasites that lay eggs in the nests of other bees, primarily mining bees (Andrena). They lack pollen-carrying structures and exhibit wasp-like coloration with red, black, and yellow patterns.
Oreopasites
Oreopasites is a genus of cuckoo bees in the family Apidae, first described by Cockerell in 1906. The genus comprises approximately 11 described species, all of which are kleptoparasitic bees that lay their eggs in the nests of host bees. Species in this genus are found in western North America, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. The genus is classified within the tribe Ammobatini of the subfamily Nomadinae.
Oreopasites barbarae
Barbara's oreopasites
Oreopasites barbarae is a species of cleptoparasitic cuckoo bee described by Rozen in 1992. It belongs to the tribe Ammobatini within the subfamily Nomadinae, a group characterized by parasitic life histories. The species is found in North America. Like other members of its genus, it likely parasitizes nests of ground-nesting bees, though specific host records remain undocumented.
Paranomada
Paranomada is a genus of cleptoparasitic cuckoo bees in the family Apidae, tribe Brachynomadini. The genus contains three described species, all endemic to western North America. As cleptoparasites, these bees do not construct their own nests or provision their own young, but instead lay eggs in the nests of host bees.
Paranomada velutina
Black-velvet Flat-Nomad
Paranomada velutina is a cuckoo bee in the family Apidae, described by Linsley in 1939. It belongs to the subfamily Nomadinae, a group of bees that are cleptoparasites (nest parasites) of other bees. The species is known from the southwestern United States and Mexico. Like other nomadine bees, it lacks pollen-collecting structures and relies on host bees to provision its young.
Rhopalolemma
Rhopalolemma is a genus of cuckoo bees in the family Apidae, established by Roig-Alsina in 1991. The genus belongs to the tribe Biastini within the subfamily Nomadinae. Two species have been described: R. robertsi (1991) and R. rotundiceps (1997). As cuckoo bees, members of this genus are presumed to be cleptoparasites that lay eggs in the nests of host bees.
Rhopalolemma rotundiceps
Rhopalolemma rotundiceps is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Apidae, described by Roig-Alsina in 1997. As a member of the tribe Biastini within the subfamily Nomadinae, it is a cleptoparasitic bee that lays eggs in the nests of host bees. The species is known from North America. Little detailed biological information has been published for this species.
Sphecodes
Blood Bees, Cuckoo Sweat Bees
Sphecodes is a genus of kleptoparasitic bees in the family Halictidae, commonly known as blood bees due to their distinctive black and red coloration. With over 300 described species, this is one of the largest genera of cuckoo bees and has a cosmopolitan distribution across all continents except Antarctica. Females lack pollen-collecting structures and instead lay eggs in the nests of ground-nesting host bees, primarily in the genera Lasioglossum, Halictus, and Andrena. The larvae consume the host's pollen provisions and develop at the expense of the host offspring.
Sphecodes aroniae
Sphecodes aroniae is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae. It belongs to a genus of cleptoparasitic bees commonly known as blood bees, which lay eggs in the nests of other solitary bees. The species was described by Mitchell in 1960 and is known from North America, with confirmed records from Vermont, United States.
Sphecodes davisii
Davis's Cuckoo Sweat Bee
Sphecodes davisii is a cleptoparasitic sweat bee in the family Halictidae. As a member of the genus Sphecodes, it exhibits the cuckoo bee lifestyle: females enter nests of host sweat bees to lay eggs in brood cells, where their larvae consume the host's provisions and developing young. The species is native to North America, with documented records from Vermont and broader North American distribution. Like other Sphecodes, it likely targets ground-nesting Halictidae as hosts.
Sphecodes dichrous
Blood Bee
Sphecodes dichrous is a species of cleptoparasitic bee in the family Halictidae, commonly known as a blood bee. Like other members of the genus Sphecodes, females lay their eggs in the nests of other solitary bees, primarily sweat bees (Halictus and Lasioglossum species). The larvae consume the host's pollen provisions and parasitize the host larvae. The species has been recorded in North America, including Vermont.
Sphecodes heraclei heraclei
Northern Cyclops Blood Bee
Sphecodes heraclei heraclei is a subspecies of blood bee in the family Halictidae. As a member of the genus Sphecodes, it is a cleptoparasite (cuckoo bee) that exploits the nests of other solitary bees, particularly sweat bees in the family Halictidae. The subspecies was described by Robertson in 1897. Like other Sphecodes, females enter host nests to lay eggs in brood cells, with their larvae consuming the host's pollen provisions and parasitizing the host larvae.
Sphecodes heraclei ignitus
Fiery Cyclops Blood Bee
Sphecodes heraclei ignitus is a subspecies of blood bee within the family Halictidae. Like other members of the genus Sphecodes, this bee is a cleptoparasite (cuckoo bee) that exploits the nests of other solitary bees. The subspecific epithet 'ignitus' (meaning 'fiery') and its common name suggest distinctive coloration. The species was described by Cockerell in 1922. As a Sphecodes, it exhibits the characteristic parasitic lifestyle of the genus, targeting sweat bees and other ground-nesting halictids.
Sphecodes johnsonii
Johnson's sphecodes
Sphecodes johnsonii is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae. It belongs to the genus Sphecodes, commonly known as blood bees or cuckoo sweat bees, which are kleptoparasitic bees that exploit the nests of other bees. The species was described by Lovell in 1909 and is found in North America.
Sphecodes ranunculi
Blood Bee
Sphecodes ranunculi is a species of cleptoparasitic sweat bee in the family Halictidae, first described by Robertson in 1897. As a member of the genus Sphecodes, commonly known as "blood bees" for their typically red and black coloration, this species exhibits the cuckoo-like reproductive strategy characteristic of the genus: females invade nests of other solitary bees to lay eggs in host brood chambers. The parasitic larvae consume the host's pollen provisions and prey upon the host's developing young.
Sphecodes solonis
sweat bee
Sphecodes solonis is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae. It is a cleptoparasitic or 'cuckoo' bee, meaning females lay their eggs in the nests of other solitary bees. The species was described by Graenicher in 1911. Like other members of the genus Sphecodes, it exhibits a wasp-like appearance with a slender waist and typically reddish or dark coloration.
Stelis australis floridensis
Stelis australis floridensis is a subspecies of cleptoparasitic bee in the family Megachilidae. It was described by Mitchell in 1962. Like other members of the genus Stelis, this bee is a kleptoparasite (cuckoo bee) that lays its eggs in the nests of other bees, primarily megachilid hosts. The subspecific epithet 'floridensis' indicates its association with Florida. Very few observations of this taxon have been recorded.
Stelis coarctatus
Compressed Dark Bee
Stelis coarctatus is a North American species of cleptoparasitic bee in the family Megachilidae. As a member of the genus Stelis, it is a cuckoo bee that lays eggs in the nests of other bees, typically megachilid hosts. The species was described by Crawford in 1916 and has been recorded from Vermont in the northeastern United States. Like other Stelis species, it lacks pollen-collecting structures and depends entirely on host provisions for its offspring.
Stelis costalis
cuckoo bee
Stelis costalis is a species of cleptoparasitic bee (cuckoo bee) in the family Megachilidae. The species is known from North America and Central America. In 2020, it was documented as a parasite of the giant resin bee Megachile sculpturalis, representing the first recorded host association for this species.
Stelis diversicolor
All-black Dark Bee
Stelis diversicolor is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Megachilidae, first described by Crawford in 1916. It is found in Central America and North America. Like other members of the genus Stelis, this species is a cleptoparasite that lays its eggs in the nests of other bees. The species is known from 18 iNaturalist observations and is recognized by the common name 'All-black Dark Bee'.
Stelis interrupta
cuckoo bee
Stelis interrupta is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Megachilidae, first described by Cresson in 1879. As a member of the genus Stelis, it is a cleptoparasite that lays its eggs in the nests of other bees. The species is known from North America, though detailed biological studies remain limited.
Stelis lateralis
Spot-sided Dark Bee
Stelis lateralis is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Megachilidae. As a member of the genus Stelis, it is a cleptoparasite that lays eggs in the nests of other bees, particularly megachilids. The species occurs in Central America and North America. Two subspecies are recognized: Stelis lateralis lateralis and Stelis lateralis permaculata.
Stelis laticincta
Wide-striped Painted-Dark bee
Stelis laticincta is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Megachilidae, described by Cresson in 1878. As a member of the genus Stelis, it is a kleptoparasite that lays its eggs in the nests of other bees. The species is found in North America.
Stelis louisae
Louisiana Painted-Dark bee
Stelis louisae is a cuckoo bee (kleptoparasite) in the family Megachilidae, described by T.D.A. Cockerell in 1911. It occurs in the eastern United States and Ontario, Canada, with activity recorded from March through September. The species has been observed visiting Helianthus (sunflower) flowers. As a member of the genus Stelis, it likely parasitizes nests of other bees, though specific host records for this species are not documented in the provided sources.
Stelis perpulchra
Stelis perpulchra is a cuckoo bee species in the family Megachilidae, first described by Crawford in 1916. As a member of the genus Stelis, it is a cleptoparasite that lays eggs in the nests of other bees. The species occurs in both Central America and North America.
Stelis rudbeckiarum
Coneflower Painted-Dark bee
Stelis rudbeckiarum is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Megachilidae, described by Cockerell in 1904. As a member of the genus Stelis, it is an obligate cleptoparasite that lays its eggs in the nests of other bees. The species is distributed across North America and Central America. Its specific epithet 'rudbeckiarum' suggests an association with Rudbeckia (coneflowers), likely reflecting host or foraging relationships.
Stelis texana
Stelis texana is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Megachilidae, described by Thorp in 1966. Like other members of the genus Stelis, this species is a cleptoparasite that lays its eggs in the nests of other bees, particularly those in the family Megachilidae. The species is known from Texas and adjacent regions in North America. Records indicate presence in Middle America and North America.
Townsendiella
Townsendiella is a genus of cuckoo bees in the family Apidae, established by Crawford in 1916. The genus contains four described species found in arid regions of western North America. As cleptoparasitic bees, females lay eggs in the nests of other bee species, with their larvae consuming the host's food stores. Townsendiella is the sole genus in the tribe Townsendiellini.
Townsendiella pulchra
Townsendiella pulchra is a cuckoo bee (family Apidae, subfamily Nomadinae) known from the United States and Mexico. It is a kleptoparasite, meaning females lay eggs in the nests of host bees rather than constructing their own. The species specifically targets Hesperapis larreae as its host. As a member of the tribe Townsendiellini, it belongs to a small group of specialized nomadine bees with limited documented natural history.
Townsendiella rufiventris
Townsendiella rufiventris is a cuckoo bee species in the family Apidae, first described by Linsley in 1942. It belongs to the tribe Townsendiellini within the subfamily Nomadinae. The species has been recorded in the United States and Mexico. As a member of Nomadinae, it is presumed to be a cleptoparasite (cuckoo bee) that lays eggs in the nests of other bees, though specific host relationships remain undocumented.
Triepeolus brittaini
Brittain's Cuckoo Nomad Bee
Triepeolus brittaini is a species of cleptoparasitic bee in the family Apidae, first described by Cockerell in 1931. As a member of the cuckoo bee genus Triepeolus, it is known to lay its eggs in the nests of other bee species rather than constructing its own nests or provisioning brood cells. The species is found in North America and is commonly known as Brittain's Cuckoo Nomad Bee.
Triepeolus concavus
Concave Longhorn-Cuckoo
Triepeolus concavus is a cleptoparasitic bee in the family Apidae. Females lay eggs in the ground nests of host bees, particularly sunflower bees (Svastra obliqua expurgata). The species lacks pollen-collecting structures (scopa) and relies on stealing food stores provisioned by host bees. It is found in the United States and Mexico.