Marsham's Nomad Bee
Nomada marshamella
This record describes Nomada marshamella (species). Recorded family: Apidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Length 7-10mm. A small cuckoo bee with just yellow and black stripes and no red markings, the spots on tergite 2 clearly separated. The female has two yellow tubercles on the thorax which are absent in males. Male lower face yellow. Female antennae all orange, males have partially black antennae. Similar to N. goodeniana and N. fulvicornis . Distinguished by the second yellow band on the thorax being broken by a thin black band. Detailled photros showing key ID features required. Anywhere around the areas where its host Andrena species are nesting. Nomada marshamella has two broods and preys on a variety of Andrena bees including Andrena scotica . Fairly common and widespread in Britain.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera
- Family
- Apidae
- Genus
- Nomada
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Anywhere around the areas where its host
Seasonal Activity
March through to September.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Nomada marshamella
Additional species information
Recorded status
Fairly common and widespread in Britain.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Nomada marshamella. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hymenoptera includes over 150,000 described species of ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies. Earth harbors approximately 20 quadrillion (20×10^15) ants, with a combined biomass of ~12 megatons of dry carbon - exceeding the combined biomass of all wild birds and mammals (PNAS, 2022).
Ecological role of the group
About 35% of the world's food crops depend on animal pollinators. The chocolate industry, valued at over $100 billion, depends on pollinating flies and midges. Ants are the dominant soil engineers in most terrestrial ecosystems, turning more soil than earthworms in many habitats.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Pollinators contribute $235-577 billion worth of annual global food production (FAO). In the U.S., bee pollination alone benefits crops valued at $18 billion annually, and honey bees are responsible for $5.4 billion in agricultural productivity. Between April 2023-2024, 55.1% of managed honey bee colonies were lost. The U.S. bee population dropped from 5 million to 2.5 million.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, USDA, EPA, PNAS (2022), US Fish & Wildlife Service. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Marsham's Nomad Bee (7)
Frequently Asked Questions About Marsham's Nomad Bee
What is Marsham's Nomad Bee?
Marsham's Nomad Bee (Nomada marshamella) is a species in the family Apidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Marsham's Nomad Bee?
7-10mm. A small cuckoo bee with just yellow and black stripes and no red markings, the spots on tergite 2 clearly separated. The female has two yellow tubercles on the thorax which are absent in males. Male lower face yellow. Female antennae all orange, males have partially black antennae.
Where is Marsham's Nomad Bee found?
Habitat: Anywhere around the areas where its host
When is Marsham's Nomad Bee active?
Marsham's Nomad Bee: seasonal activity - March through to September..
What is the life cycle of a Marsham's Nomad Bee?
Nomada marshamella