Nomad Bees
Nomada
Apidae
Nomada
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 Describe your image |  Describe your image |
 Describe your image |  Describe your image |
Description
Bees in the Genus Nomada comprise many species of cuckoo bees: they usually parasitize nests of Andrena bees (as well as Eucera and some other bees), laying 1-4 eggs in the provisioned nest. Nomada are often red, yellow, and/or black in color, nearly hairless, and look wasp-like. Size ranges from 2-12 mm in length (usually medium). Females lack scopae on legs (they don't provision nests).
Nectar/
Pollen Plants
Nectar generalists; no care for pollen.
Habits
Cleptoparasitic, the female bee flies slowly over Andrena nesting areas, sneaks into uncompleted host bee nests and lays 1-4 eggs on the nest cell wall. Its larva hatches, devours the host bee larva and any other Nomada larvae using its sickle-like mandibles, and then eats the nest provisions. The larva pupates in the cell and emerges in the Spring.
Season
February - June
