Ground-nesting-parasite
Guides
Neolarra
Neolarra is a genus of minute cuckoo bees in the family Apidae, containing approximately 16 described species restricted to North America. These bees are kleptoparasites that target nests of Perdita bees, laying eggs that hatch into larvae that consume the host's provisions and offspring. Adults are exceptionally small, measuring less than a grain of rice. The genus was first described in 1890 by Ashmead, who initially misclassified it as a wasp genus.
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 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.
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 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.