Small Nomad Bee

This is one of the smallest species of Nomada. A small reddish nomad usually with small yellow spots on the sides of tergite 2 and 3. Females have extensive red markings on the head (usually surrounding the eyes), and the sides of the thorax, plus a pair of large red scutellar spots and red longitudinal stripes above the wing bases and usually a pair down the middle of the scutum. The labrum is usually dark and the hind face of the propodeum has patches of silvery hairs on each side. Males resemble females but have a darker head and thorax and the antennal scape is usually entirely black. Most solitary bees and wasps are difficult to identify, and can rarely be identified from photos taken in the field. All red-rated records should include a photo, or set of photos, showing the key characters, which may require the specimen. Please include a face shot, side, top and wings. Note whether male or female, explain how the specimen met the key characters and the key used. We will accept records identified by a recognised local or national expert, or that have been identified via the BWARS’ Facebook noting the name of the person/organisation identifying the record (e.g. ‘Stuart Roberts, BWARS Facebook’). Generally distributed, occurring wherever its several host species are present. Depending on the flight periods of its host species, it can be either univoltine or bivoltine. It can be found from the end of March. The species is a cleptoparasite of certain Andrena species in the subgenus Micrandrena. Those recorded are Andrena alfkenella , Andrena falsifica, Andrena minutula, Andrena semilaevis and Andrena subopaca. Fairly frequent and widely distributed throughout Britain.