The Spotted Nomad Bee is a wasp-mimicking cleptoparasitic bee — it lays its eggs in the nests of Andrena bees rather than collecting pollen itself, letting the host provision its young. Its yellow-and-black banded body closely resembles a small wasp, providing protection. Nomad bees are obligate parasites and their populations track those of their host bees.
Habitat
Gardens, meadows, and open areas where Andrena bees nest
Diet
Adults: nectar. Larvae: pollen provisions stolen from Andrena bees
How common
Uncommon
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