Alkali Bee
Nomia melanderi
This record describes Nomia melanderi (species). Recorded family: Halictidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Nest is irregular, with 15-20 cells [ diagram ]; construction takes ~30 days. Used commercially as a pollinator of alfalfa.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Trigonaloidea
- Family
- Halictidae (Sweat, Furrow, Nomiine, and Short-faced Bees)
- Subfamily
- Nomiinae
- Genus
- Nomia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Ground nesting, sometimes in large colonies of many thousands of nests. Prefers alkali soils.
Geographic Range
Washington to Wyoming to Southern California Discover Life Map
Seasonal Activity
June to September
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Pollen and nectar, preferably of alfalfa ( Medicago sativa ). The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images.
Life History
Overwinter in a prepupal stage and complete growth in a second year
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Nomia melanderi Cockerell, 1906
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Nomia melanderi. 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 Alkali Bee (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Beatriz Moisset; Additional contributions by Aaron Schusteff , v belov , hg , Nathaniel Green
Frequently Asked Questions About Alkali Bee
What is Alkali Bee?
Alkali Bee (Nomia melanderi) is a species in the family Halictidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Alkali Bee?
12-13 mm
Where is Alkali Bee found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Ground nesting, sometimes in large colonies of many thousands of nests. Prefers alkali soils. |
| Range | Washington to Wyoming to Southern California Discover Life Map |
What does Alkali Bee eat?
The diet of the Alkali Bee includes Pollen and nectar, preferably of alfalfa ( Medicago sativa ). The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images..
When is Alkali Bee active?
Alkali Bee: seasonal activity - June to September.
What is the life cycle of a Alkali Bee?
Overwinter in a prepupal stage and complete growth in a second year