Armed Nomad Bee
Nomada armata
The Armed Nomad Bee (Nomada armata) is a cuckoo bee species characterized by its distinctive wasp-like appearance with yellow and black markings and relatively hairless body. As a kleptoparasite, it does not collect pollen itself but instead lays its eggs in the nests of solitary mining bees, where its larvae consume the host's provisions.
27
Countries
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) RUIZ Jean Marc, all rights reserved, uploaded by RUIZ Jean Marc
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Hymenoptera
Family
Apidae
Genus
Nomada
Armed Nomad Bee belongs to the family Apidae, order Hymenoptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
The Armed Nomad Bee (Nomada armata) is a cuckoo bee species characterized by its distinctive wasp-like appearance with yellow and black markings and relatively hairless body. As a kleptoparasite, it does not collect pollen itself but instead lays its eggs in the nests of solitary mining bees, where its larvae consume the host's provisions.
The Armed Nomad Bee faces significant threats from habitat loss due to agricultural intensification and urbanization, which reduces availability of both host bee populations and suitable nesting sites. Climate change and pesticide use further compound these pressures, disrupting the delicate ecological relationships this cuckoo bee depends on for survival.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Open grasslands, heathlands, coastal dunes, and sandy areas with sparse vegetation where host mining bees (Andrena species) construct their ground nests. Also found in woodland edges, quarries, and other disturbed sandy soils in temperate regions.
Threats
Decline of host bee populations
Habitat loss and fragmentation
Agricultural intensification and pesticide use
Climate change impacts
Loss of floral resources
Found in 27 Countries
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (VU).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | NTNear Threatened | VUVulnerable | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Armed Nomad Bee (Nomada armata). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/armed-nomad-bee