Nomadinae
Guides
Ammobatini
cuckoo bees
Ammobatini is a tribe of cleptoparasitic bees within the subfamily Nomadinae of family Apidae. The tribe comprises approximately 8 genera and more than 130 described species. Members are obligate cleptoparasites that exploit the nests of other bees, primarily ground-nesting halictids. The genus Chiasmognathus has been documented attacking Nomioides patruelis (Halictidae).
Ammobatoidini
cuckoo bees
Ammobatoidini is a tribe of cleptoparasitic bees in the family Apidae, subfamily Nomadinae. The tribe contains at least four genera (Aethammobates, Ammobatoides, Holcopasites, and Schmiedeknechtia) and approximately 30 described species. Members are obligate cleptoparasites, laying eggs in the nests of host bees. The tribe has been documented in North America, with some species having restricted geographic ranges.
Biastini
Biastini is a tribe of cleptoparasitic bees within the subfamily Nomadinae (family Apidae). Members are obligate cleptoparasites that exploit the nests of solitary bees, particularly oligolectic hosts. The tribe has undergone significant taxonomic revision, with recent phylogenomic studies establishing that Biastini is paraphyletic and should be synonymized under an expanded concept of Neolarrini. The tribe includes the enigmatic genus Schwarzia, which exhibits unusual morphological features and represents a transitional lineage.
Brachynomada
Brachynomada is a genus of cuckoo bees comprising approximately 16-17 described species. As members of the tribe Brachynomadini, these bees are cleptoparasites that lay their eggs in the nests of other bee species. The genus was established by Holmberg in 1886 and is classified within the subfamily Nomadinae of the family Apidae.
Brachynomada annectens
Brachynomada annectens is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Apidae. It was described by Snelling and Rozen in 1987. The species is distributed across the United States and Mexico. As a member of the Nomadinae subfamily, it exhibits kleptoparasitic behavior, laying eggs in the nests of other bees.
Brachynomada nimia
Brachynomada nimia is a kleptoparasitic bee species described by Snelling and Rozen in 1987. As a member of the tribe Brachynomadini, it belongs to a group of cuckoo bees that exploit the nests of other bee species. The genus Brachynomada comprises small, slender nomadine bees that parasitize ground-nesting bees. Very few documented observations of this species exist in public databases.
Brachynomadini
cuckoo bees
Brachynomadini is a tribe of cleptoparasitic cuckoo bees within the subfamily Nomadinae of family Apidae. The tribe contains at least five genera and approximately 20 described species. Members are brood parasites that lay eggs in the nests of other bee species, primarily within the family Apidae.
Epeolini
cuckoo bees
Epeolini is a tribe of cleptoparasitic bees within the subfamily Nomadinae. Members are commonly known as cuckoo bees and are obligate cleptoparasites that exploit the nest provisions of other bee species for their own offspring development. The tribe comprises five subtribes and approximately ten genera, including Epeolus, Triepeolus, Odyneropsis, Doeringiella, and Thalestria. Several European species are considered endangered or nearly extinct, while others remain widespread.
Epeolus
variegated cuckoo-bees, cellophane-cuckoo bees
Epeolus is a genus of medium-sized cleptoparasitic bees comprising approximately 100 described species worldwide. All known species are obligate nest parasites (kleptoparasites) of mining bees in the genus Colletes. Females lack the branched pollen-collecting hairs typical of most bees and instead possess specialized abdominal spines used to pierce the cellophane-like nest linings of their hosts. The genus is distinguished by striking black-and-white or black-white-red-yellow integumental patterns formed by short, fat hairs lying flush against the body surface.
Epeolus americanus
American Cellophane-cuckoo Bee
Epeolus americanus is a cleptoparasitic bee (cuckoo bee) in the family Apidae. It was newly confirmed in 2020 to parasitize the solitary bee Colletes consors mesocopus, with the first instar larva described for the first time. The species belongs to a genus of bees that invade nests of polyester bees (genus Colletes) and lacks the branched body hairs typical of pollen-collecting bees.
Epeolus australus
Epeolus australus is a cleptoparasitic (cuckoo) bee in the genus Epeolus, a group of bees that do not construct their own nests or collect pollen. Like other members of its genus, this species invades the nests of host bees, primarily those in the genus Colletes (polyester bees), where it lays eggs that hatch into larvae that consume the host's provisions and offspring. The species is one of approximately 43 known Epeolus species in North America, with new species in this genus continuing to be described due to their small size, rarity relative to their hosts, and wasp-like appearance that makes them difficult to detect.
Epeolus autumnalis
Autumnal Cellophane-Cuckoo, cuckoo bee
Epeolus autumnalis is a cleptoparasitic cuckoo bee in the family Apidae, found in North America. As a member of the genus Epeolus, it is a nest parasite of polyester bees in the genus Colletes. Like other cuckoo bees, it lacks the branched body hairs typical of pollen-collecting bees and instead relies on host bees to provision its offspring. The species was described by Robertson in 1902.
Epeolus barberiellus
Barber's Cellophane-cuckoo Bee
Epeolus barberiellus is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Apidae, first described by Cockerell in 1907. As a member of the genus Epeolus, it is a cleptoparasite that lays its eggs in the nests of host bees, primarily species in the genus Colletes (cellophane bees). The species is known from North America, though specific details about its distribution, abundance, and ecological relationships remain poorly documented compared to better-studied congeners.
Epeolus carolinus
Carolina Cellophane-cuckoo Bee
Epeolus carolinus is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Apidae, first described by Mitchell in 1962. As a cleptoparasitic bee, it lays eggs in the nests of host bee species rather than constructing its own nests or collecting pollen. The species is native to North America and is one of approximately 43 recognized Epeolus species on the continent. Like other members of its genus, it is associated with polyester bees (Colletes) as hosts.
Epeolus flavofasciatus
Yellow-banded Cellophane-cuckoo Bee
Epeolus flavofasciatus is a cleptoparasitic (cuckoo) bee in the family Apidae, first described by Smith in 1879. Like other members of the genus Epeolus, this species does not construct its own nests or collect pollen, instead laying eggs in the nests of host bees, primarily those in the genus Colletes (polyester bees). The species is characterized by its distinctive yellow-banded coloration and relatively small size. It occurs in North and Middle America, with records from the United States, Mexico, and Guatemala.
Epeolus glabratus
Smooth Cellophane-cuckoo Bee
Epeolus glabratus is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Apidae. As a cleptoparasite, females lay eggs in the nests of host bees rather than constructing their own nests or collecting pollen. The species is found in North America. Like other members of the genus Epeolus, it likely targets nests of polyester bees in the genus Colletes, though specific host associations for this species remain poorly documented.
Epeolus interruptus
Interrupted Cellophane-cuckoo Bee
Epeolus interruptus is a cleptoparasitic (cuckoo) bee in the family Apidae, native to North America. First described by Robertson in 1900, this species invades the nests of polyester bees (genus Colletes) to lay its eggs. Like other cuckoo bees, females lack the branched body hairs used for pollen collection and instead rely on host bees to provision their offspring. The species exhibits reduced pilosity compared to non-parasitic bees, giving it a wasp-like appearance.
Epeolus lectoides
Sumac Cellophane-Cuckoo, cuckoo bee
Epeolus lectoides is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Apidae. It is a cleptoparasite that lays its eggs in the nests of host bees rather than building its own nest or collecting pollen. The species is found in North America and has been documented using Colletes latitarsis and Colletes nudus as hosts.
Epeolus mesillae
Mesilla Cellophane Bee
Epeolus mesillae is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Apidae, first described by Cockerell in 1895. As a kleptoparasite, it invades the nests of host bees to lay its eggs, with its offspring consuming the host's provisions. The species is recorded from North America and Middle America. Like other Epeolus species, it lacks the branched body hairs typical of pollen-collecting bees and instead exhibits color patterns of short black, white, red, and yellow hairs.
Epeolus olympiellus
Olympia Cellophane-cuckoo Bee
Epeolus olympiellus is a cleptoparasitic (cuckoo) bee in the family Apidae. Like other members of its genus, it invades the nests of polyester bees (genus Colletes) to lay its eggs, with the resulting larvae killing the host's offspring and consuming the stored pollen. The species is found in North America and was described by Cockerell in 1904.
Epeolus scutellaris
red-chested cuckoo nomad bee, Notch-backed Cellophane-cuckoo Bee
Epeolus scutellaris is a cleptoparasitic bee in the family Apidae. As a cuckoo bee, it does not construct nests or collect pollen, instead laying eggs in the nests of host bees. The species occurs in North America and Mexico. It is one of approximately 43 Epeolus species recognized in North America.
Epeolus zonatus
Zoned Cellophane-cuckoo Bee
Epeolus zonatus is a cuckoo bee species in the family Apidae, first described by Smith in 1854. As a cleptoparasite, it lays eggs in the nests of host bees rather than building its own. The species is found in North America, though specific details about its biology and host associations remain limited in the available literature.
Hexepeolini
Hexepeolini is a monotypic tribe of cuckoo bees within the subfamily Nomadinae (family Apidae). The tribe contains a single genus, Hexepeolus, which in turn contains only one species, Hexepeolus rhodogyne. As cuckoo bees, members of this tribe are brood parasites that do not construct nests or collect pollen. The extreme rarity of this tribe—represented by only two observations on iNaturalist—reflects its narrow geographic distribution and specialized ecological requirements.
Hexepeolus
Hexepeolus is a monotypic genus of cuckoo bees in the family Apidae, established by Linsley and Michener in 1937. It represents the sole genus within the tribe Hexepeolini and contains only one described species, Hexepeolus rhodogyne. As a member of the subfamily Nomadinae, these bees exhibit kleptoparasitic behavior, laying eggs in the nests of other bee species. The genus is rarely encountered, with minimal observational records.
Holcopasites minimus
Tiny Furrowed-Cuckoo
Holcopasites minimus is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Apidae, first described by Linsley in 1943. It belongs to the subfamily Nomadinae, a group of kleptoparasitic bees that lay their eggs in the nests of other bee species. The species occurs across a broad geographic range from Mexico to Canada. Like other members of the genus Holcopasites, it is presumed to be a nest parasite of ground-nesting bees, though specific host relationships remain poorly documented.
Holcopasites stevensi
Stevens's Cuckoo Nomad Bee
Holcopasites stevensi is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Apidae. It is found from Mexico to Canada.
Neolarra californica
cuckoo bee
Neolarra californica is a cleptoparasitic cuckoo bee in the family Apidae. It is known to parasitize nests of Perdita difficilis, a mining bee species. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico. As a member of the tribe Neolarrini, it represents one of the specialized parasitic lineages within the diverse Apidae family.
Neolarrini
Neolarrini is a tribe of cleptoparasitic cuckoo bees in the subfamily Nomadinae, family Apidae. Following recent phylogenomic revision, this tribe now encompasses approximately 40 species across five genera: Biastes, Neolarra, Rhopalolemma, Schwarzia, and Townsendiella. The tribe was expanded to include the former tribes Biastini and Townsendiellini as synonyms to ensure monophyly. Neolarrini likely originated in the Nearctic during the mid-Eocene and is exclusively composed of parasites of oligolectic host bees.
Neopasites
Neopasites is a subgenus of cuckoo bees within the genus Biastes (family Apidae, subfamily Nomadinae). Established by Ashmead in 1898, it was formerly treated as a distinct genus but has been reclassified as a subgenus of Biastes. These bees are cleptoparasites, laying eggs in the nests of other bee species. The group is relatively small and understudied, with limited published information on species-level biology.
Neopasites cressoni
Neopasites cressoni is a kleptoparasitic (cuckoo) bee in the family Apidae, tribe Biastini. It is native to North America and targets hosts in the genus Hesperapis, a group of ground-nesting bees. Like other members of the Nomadinae subfamily, females lack pollen-collecting structures and rely entirely on host nests for reproduction. The species was described by Crawford in 1916.
Neopasites fulviventris
Neopasites fulviventris is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Apidae, first described by Cresson in 1878. It belongs to the tribe Biastini within the subfamily Nomadinae, a group of bees known for their kleptoparasitic lifestyle. The species is native to North America. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to be a cleptoparasite that lays eggs in the nests of other bee species, though specific host relationships for this species remain poorly documented.
Neopasites mojavensis
Neopasites mojavensis is a species of cleptoparasitic bee in the family Apidae, subfamily Nomadinae. The species was described by Linsley in 1943 and is native to North America. As a member of the tribe Biastini, it is presumed to exhibit kleptoparasitic behavior, laying eggs in the nests of host bees to exploit their provisions. The specific epithet "mojavensis" suggests an association with the Mojave Desert region.
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 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 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 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 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 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 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.