Nomada placida
This record describes Nomada placida (species). Recorded family: Apidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Rectangular patch of yellow on scutellum (consolidated, i.e. not two spots as in other Nomada with yellow on the scutellum)
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
Habitat
Fields of goldenrod and other composites
Geographic Range
East Discover Life Map
Seasonal Activity
Late summer
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Recorded on Amphiachyris dracunculoides . 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 placida. 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 placida (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , John S. Ascher , hg , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Nomada placida
What is Nomada placida?
Nomada placida is a species in the family Apidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Nomada placida?
Rectangular patch of yellow on scutellum (consolidated, i.e. not two spots as in other Nomada with yellow on the scutellum)
Where is Nomada placida found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Fields of goldenrod and other composites |
| Range | East Discover Life Map |
What does Nomada placida eat?
The diet of the Nomada placida includes Recorded on Amphiachyris dracunculoides . The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images..
When is Nomada placida active?
Nomada placida: seasonal activity - Late summer.