Kleptoparasite
Guides
Nomada affabilis
nomad bee
Nomada affabilis is a species of kleptoparasitic nomad bee in the family Apidae, first described by Cresson in 1878. 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 building its own nests or collecting pollen. The species is distributed across North America and comprises two recognized subspecies: Nomada affabilis affabilis and Nomada affabilis dallasensis. Like other nomad bees, females likely locate host nests using chemical cues and possess reduced scopal structures for pollen collection.
Nomada armatella
Yellow-backed Nomad
Nomada armatella is a cuckoo bee species 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. The species has been documented in North America, with confirmed records from Vermont, United States. Like other Nomada species, it likely targets specific host bees, though detailed host associations for this particular species remain poorly documented.
Nomada articulata
Articulated Nomad
Nomada articulata is a species of nomad bee in the family Apidae, first described by Smith in 1854. It is a kleptoparasitic species found in North America, specifically known to parasitize nests of the sweat bee Agapostemon sericeus. Like other Nomada species, it lacks the branched body hairs typical of pollen-collecting bees and relies entirely on host bees to provision its offspring.
Nomada bella
Belle Nomad Bee
Nomada bella is a cuckoo bee species in the family Apidae, first described by Cresson in 1863. As a kleptoparasite, females lay eggs in the nests of host bee species rather than constructing their own nests or collecting pollen. The species occurs in North America, with documented records from Vermont and other regions. Like other members of the genus Nomada, it exhibits the characteristic wasp-like appearance of cuckoo bees, lacking the dense branched hairs used for pollen collection that are typical of non-parasitic bees.
Nomada besseyi
Bessey's Nomad Bee
Nomada besseyi is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Apidae, first described by Swenk in 1913. Like other members of the genus Nomada, it is a kleptoparasite that lays its eggs in the nests of host bee species, particularly mining bees in the genus Andrena. The species is native to North America and exhibits the characteristic wasp-like appearance typical of nomad bees, lacking the branched body hairs used for pollen collection by non-parasitic bees.
Nomada bethunei
Bethune's Cuckoo Nomad Bee
Nomada bethunei is a species of kleptoparasitic cuckoo bee in the family Apidae, first described by Cockerell in 1903. As a member of the genus Nomada, it is an obligate nest parasite that lays eggs in the nests of host bee species, primarily Andrena mining bees. The species is found in North America, with records from Vermont and other regions. Like other Nomada species, it lacks the branched body hairs typical of pollen-collecting bees and instead relies on host bees to provision its offspring.
Nomada cressonii
Cresson's Nomad Bee
Nomada cressonii is a kleptoparasitic cuckoo bee species in the family Apidae, native to North America. As a member of the genus Nomada, it exhibits the characteristic behavior of laying eggs in the nests of host bee 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 crotchii
Crotch's Nomad
Nomada crotchii is a species of nomad bee (kleptoparasitic cuckoo bee) in the family Apidae. It occurs in North America. As a member of the genus Nomada, it is presumed to be a nest parasite of other bees, though specific host relationships have not been documented for this species. The species was described by Cresson in 1878 and has two recognized subspecies: N. c. crotchii and N. c. nigrior.
Nomada cuneata
Cuneate Nomad Bee
Nomada cuneata is a kleptoparasitic bee species in the family Apidae, native to North America. As a member of the genus Nomada, it exhibits the characteristic cuckoo bee behavior of laying eggs in the nests of host bee species rather than constructing its own nests or provisioning young. The species is recorded from Vermont and other parts of North America. Like other Nomada species, it likely targets specific host bees, though detailed host associations for this particular species remain poorly documented.
Nomada denticulata
Denticulate Nomad
Nomada denticulata is a species of nomad bee in the family Apidae. It is found in North America. As a member of the genus Nomada, it is a kleptoparasitic cuckoo bee that lays eggs in the nests of other bee species rather than building its own nest or collecting pollen.
Nomada edwardsii
Edwards' Nomad
Nomada edwardsii is a species of nomad bee in the family Apidae. It is a kleptoparasitic bee that lays its eggs in the nests of other bee species. The species is found in Central America and North America, with two recognized subspecies: Nomada edwardsii edwardsii and Nomada edwardsii vinnula.
Nomada electa
nomad bee, cuckoo bee
Nomada electa is a species of kleptoparasitic nomad bee in the family Apidae, found in North America. As a cuckoo bee, it does not build its own nests or collect pollen, instead laying eggs in the nests of host bee species. The species was described by Cresson in 1863.
Nomada erigeronis
Nomada erigeronis is a species of nomad bee (cuckoo bee) in the family Apidae, first described by Robertson in 1897. Like other members of the genus Nomada, it is a kleptoparasite that lays its eggs in the nests of other bee species, particularly mining bees in the genus Andrena. The species is found in North America and is one of many Nomada species that exploit the nesting efforts of host bees rather than constructing their own nests or collecting pollen.
Nomada fervida
Fervid Nomad Bee
Nomada fervida is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Apidae, found in North America. Like other members of the genus Nomada, it exhibits kleptoparasitic behavior, laying eggs in the nests of host bee species. The species was first described by Smith in 1854. As a nest parasite, it relies on host bees to provision its offspring with pollen and nectar.
Nomada gutierreziae
Nomada gutierreziae is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Apidae, first described by Cockerell in 1896. 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 Middle and North America. Like other Nomada species, females likely locate host nests using chemical cues. Males of the genus have been observed to engage in "antennal grabbing" during copulation, a behavior involving the winding of antennae around the female's antennae to transfer pheromones, though this specific behavior has not been directly documented for N. gutierreziae.
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 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.
Nysson
Nysson is a Holarctic genus of kleptoparasitic wasps in the family Crabronidae. Over 100 species are known. These wasps are obligate kleptoparasites, meaning females exploit the food caches of other solitary wasps by locating host burrows, digging them open, destroying the host egg, and replacing it with their own. The larva then consumes the prey provisioned by the host mother.
Nysson freyigessneri
Nysson freyigessneri is a species of wasp in the family Crabronidae, originally described by Handlirsch in 1887. The species is currently considered a synonym of Nysson aurinotus. Like other members of the genus Nysson, it belongs to a group of kleptoparasitic wasps that exploit the nests of other solitary wasps. The genus Nysson is distributed across North America, with species acting as parasites primarily targeting sand wasps and other burrowing wasps.
Nysson intermedius
Nysson intermedius is a species of cuckoo wasp in the family Crabronidae, subfamily Bembicinae. It was described by Viereck in 1908. Members of the genus Nysson are kleptoparasitic, laying their eggs in the nests of other digger wasps, particularly those in the genus Bembix and related taxa. The species occurs in North America.
Nysson lateralis
Nysson lateralis is a species of solitary wasp in the family Crabronidae, distributed across North America. It belongs to the subfamily Bembicinae and tribe Nyssonini, a group that includes kleptoparasitic wasps that exploit the nests of other crabronid wasps. The species was described by Packard in 1867. Like other members of the genus Nysson, it is presumed to be a nest parasite, though specific behavioral details for this species remain poorly documented.
Nysson plagiatus
Nysson plagiatus is a species of solitary wasp in the family Crabronidae, subfamily Bembicinae. It is a kleptoparasite that exploits the food caches of other solitary wasps, particularly species in the genus Hoplisoides that hunt treehoppers. The species was described by Cresson in 1882 and occurs in North America. Like other members of the genus Nysson, females locate host burrows, open them, destroy the host egg, and replace it with their own egg, allowing their larvae to consume the prey provisioned by the host wasp.
Nysson recticornis
Nysson recticornis is a species of solitary wasp in the family Crabronidae (formerly placed in Bembicidae). It is native to North America, with records from Canada including Alberta. The genus Nysson comprises kleptoparasitic wasps that exploit the nests of other solitary wasps, particularly those in the family Crabronidae. Like other members of its genus, N. recticornis likely targets the prey stores of host wasps for its own reproductive success.
Olcella parva
chloropid fly, frit fly
Olcella parva is a species of frit fly in the family Chloropidae, first described by Adams in 1904 under the basionym Siphonella parva. It belongs to the New World genus Olcella, which exhibits high diversity in South America. The species has been documented engaging in kleptoparasitic behavior, attracted to chemical cues from damaged or preyed-upon insects.
Omalus downeyi
Downey's Cuckoo Wasp
Omalus downeyi is a species of cuckoo wasp in the family Chrysididae. Like other members of the genus Omalus, it is a kleptoparasite that targets the nests of solitary wasps, particularly aphid-hunting wasps in the family Crabronidae such as Pemphredon and Passaloecus. The species exhibits an indirect parasitic strategy: females oviposit into aphids, which are then captured by host wasps and transported to their nests, where the cuckoo wasp larva develops by consuming the host's provisions.
Omalus glomeratus
Omalus glomeratus is a species of cuckoo wasp (family Chrysididae) known for its kleptoparasitic lifestyle. Like other members of the genus Omalus, females oviposit directly into aphids, exploiting the hunting behavior of aphid wasps in the family Crabronidae (such as Pemphredon and Passaloecus). When a crabronid wasp captures and carries the parasitized aphid to its nest, the Omalus larva hatches and consumes the food provisions intended for the host larva. This indirect parasitic strategy avoids the risks of direct nest entry. The species has been observed in Europe and represents part of a broader behavioral pattern documented across Omalus, Pseudomalus, and Holopyga.
Omalus variatus
Omalus variatus is a species of cuckoo wasp in the family Chrysididae. Like other members of its genus, it is a kleptoparasite that targets the nests of solitary wasps, particularly aphid-hunting wasps in the family Crabronidae. The species exhibits a distinctive indirect parasitism strategy: females oviposit into aphids, which are then captured by host wasps and transported to their nests, where the cuckoo wasp larva develops by consuming the host's provisions.
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.
Paramyia
freeloader flies
Paramyia is a genus of small flies in the family Milichiidae, commonly known as freeloader flies. The genus was established by Williston in 1897 and contains approximately 18 described species. Members of this genus share the family trait of kleptoparasitic behavior, often associating with predatory insects to feed on their kills.
Parnopini
cuckoo wasps
Parnopini is a small tribe of cuckoo wasps in the family Chrysididae, comprising three genera and approximately 20 described species. Members exhibit the kleptoparasitic lifestyle characteristic of chrysidid wasps, laying eggs in the nests of host wasps. Host associations are poorly documented; only the genus *Parnopes* has known hosts, which are crabronid wasps in the family Crabronidae. The tribe includes the genera *Parnopes*, *Cephaloparnops*, and *Isadelphia*.
Pepsinae
tarantula hawks (for some genera)
Pepsinae is a subfamily of spider wasps (Pompilidae) comprising 84 genera across six tribes. The subfamily includes the large tarantula hawks (genera Pepsis and Hemipepsis) as well as many smaller species. Members exhibit diverse nesting behaviors including use of preexisting cavities, occupation of spider burrows, soil excavation, mud nest construction, and kleptoparasitism. The subfamily is defined by distinctive morphological characters including sternite 2 with a transverse groove, femora without subapical spine-like setae in grooves, metatibia with uniform apical spine-like setae not splayed, and fore wing vein Cu1 simple at its base.
Philoctetes variatus
Philoctetes variatus is a species of cuckoo wasp in the family Chrysididae, a group known for their kleptoparasitic or parasitoid lifestyle targeting other Hymenoptera. The genus Philoctetes is a small, poorly documented group within Chrysididae. Information about this species is extremely limited, with minimal published research and few verified observations. It is known from a single iNaturalist record, indicating significant data gaps in its biology and distribution.
Phrosinella aldrichi
Phrosinella aldrichi is a species of satellite fly in the family Sarcophagidae, subfamily Miltogramminae. The species was described by Allen in 1926. Like other miltogrammine flies, it is known to parasitize the nests of solitary wasps. It has been specifically reported as a parasite of the nests of the sand wasp Clitemnestra bipunctata (formerly Ochleroptera bipunctata), where adult females enter burrows and deposit live larvae that feed on paralyzed prey stored by the host wasp.
Phrosinella aurifacies
Phrosinella aurifacies is a satellite fly in the family Sarcophagidae, subfamily Miltogramminae. It is known as a kleptoparasite of the sand wasp Clitemnestra bipunctata. Adult females enter wasp burrows and deposit live larvae that feed on the paralyzed prey stored by the host wasp, often destroying the wasp egg or larva in the process. The species was described by Downes in 1985.
Phrosinella fulvicornis
Phrosinella fulvicornis is a species of satellite fly in the family Sarcophagidae, subfamily Miltogramminae. It was originally described as Gymnoprosopa fulvicornis by Coquillett in 1895 and later transferred to the genus Phrosinella. The species has been documented as a nest parasite of the digger wasp Clitemnestra bipunctata. As a member of the Miltogramminae, it exhibits the kleptoparasitic life history typical of this group, with adult females entering host nests to deposit larvae on stored prey.