Spotted Nomad Bee
Nomada maculata
This record describes Nomada maculata (species). Recorded family: Apidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Male with mostly black thorax and head. Extensive yellow spots on distal terga. Kleptoparasite of Andrena (Melandrena) vicina and also likely related species
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
East Discover Life Map
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.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Nomada maculata. 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 Spotted Nomad Bee (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Eric R. Eaton; Additional contributions by John S. Ascher , Nick Block , Vox Sciurorum , hg , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Spotted Nomad Bee
What is Spotted Nomad Bee?
Spotted Nomad Bee (Nomada maculata) is a species in the family Apidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Spotted Nomad Bee?
Male with mostly black thorax and head. Extensive yellow spots on distal terga.
Where is Spotted Nomad Bee found?
Range: East Discover Life Map
What does Spotted Nomad Bee eat?
The diet of the Spotted Nomad Bee 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..