Nomada imbricata
This record describes Nomada imbricata (species). Recorded family: Apidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Trigonaloidea
- Family
- Apidae (Cuckoo, Carpenter, Digger, Bumble, and Honey Bees)
- Subfamily
- Nomadinae
- Tribe
- Nomadini
- Genus
- Nomada (Nomad Bees)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Eastern United States (including New York and the New England states), to Nova Scotia. Discover Life Map
Seasonal Activity
May and June (Discover Life--likely referring to Northeast); April-June (guide photos)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Visits flowers from several families. The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images.
Life History
Apparently associated with an Andrena ( guide image )
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Nomada imbricata. 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 Nomada imbricata (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by cotinis , Beatriz Moisset , John S. Ascher , hg , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Nomada imbricata
How big is Nomada imbricata?
9-10 mm (Mitchell, T.B. 1962. Bees of the Eastern United States; quoted by Discover Life)
Where is Nomada imbricata found?
Range: Eastern United States (including New York and the New England states), to Nova Scotia. Discover Life Map
What does Nomada imbricata eat?
The diet of the Nomada imbricata includes Visits flowers from several families. The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images..
When is Nomada imbricata active?
Nomada imbricata: seasonal activity - May and June (Discover Life--likely referring to Northeast); April-June (guide photos).
What is the life cycle of a Nomada imbricata?
Apparently associated with an Andrena ( guide image )