Nomada sp. ?

[bonitin]

Hi,


I only have a couple of poor quality pics. but I thought the coloured bands on its abdomen could give a clue of what it is. I'll try to make better pictures next year if I happen to meet it again

I found it on the 21rst April feeding on Pentaglottis sempervirens, Ooidonk, Belgium

[Jason Green]

Hi Bonitin

It is (Drum roll)...

Hymenoptera > Apidae > Nomada lathburiana (N. lathburiana) - No Common Name [a Cuckoo/Nomad bee]

Here's Why:

• Orange 'dots' on the thorax (says it's a girl)
• Dense orange thoracic hairs
• First red 'bar' on the abdomen nearest the thorax

Peculiarly they often walk on the edges of leaves. As you do. For whatever reason!!!

Take care,

Jason

[bonitin]

Well thanks Jason!
And I thought it was a boy because of the rather long antennae
I not sure I see 'orange dots' on its thorax

[eucera]

It is a male Nomada, and certainly not identifiable to species level. However, I can be certain that this is not N. lathburiana though, as males of that species have a lot of yellow on the face, and it looks way too big to be N. flavoguttata (which is one of the smaller species)

[bonitin]

I only saw your reply now, must have skipped my attention!

Well thank you Stuart!