bleekvlekwespbij
Nomada alboguttata
The bleekvlekwespbij (Nomada alboguttata) is a cuckoo bee species characterized by its distinctive black body marked with pale white or yellowish spots, giving it a wasp-like appearance. As a brood parasite, this species plays a specialized ecological role by laying its eggs in the nests of other solitary bee species, particularly mining bees in the genus Andrena.
21
Countries
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Henk Wallays, all rights reserved, uploaded by Henk Wallays
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Hymenoptera
Family
Apidae
Genus
Nomada
bleekvlekwespbij belongs to the family Apidae, order Hymenoptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
The bleekvlekwespbij (Nomada alboguttata) is a cuckoo bee species characterized by its distinctive black body marked with pale white or yellowish spots, giving it a wasp-like appearance. As a brood parasite, this species plays a specialized ecological role by laying its eggs in the nests of other solitary bee species, particularly mining bees in the genus Andrena.
Nomada alboguttata, a cuckoo bee species, faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of the specialized nesting sites of its host bee species. The species is particularly vulnerable because of its parasitic lifestyle, making it dependent on the population health of specific host bees, which are themselves declining due to agricultural intensification and pesticide use.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Nomada alboguttata inhabits open sandy areas, heathlands, and coastal dunes where its host Andrena bees establish their ground-nesting colonies. The species requires flower-rich environments with diverse native plant communities that support both adult feeding and the foraging needs of its host species.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Endangered
Nomada alboguttata, a cuckoo bee species, faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of the specialized nesting sites of its host bee species. The species is particularly vulnerable because of its parasitic lifestyle, making it dependent on the population health of specific host bees, which are themselves declining due to agricultural intensification and pesticide use.
Agricultural intensification
Decline of host bee populations
Habitat loss and fragmentation
Climate change impacts on flowering phenology
Pesticide contamination
Found in 21 Countries
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (EN).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | ENEndangered | 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). bleekvlekwespbij (Nomada alboguttata). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/bleekvlekwespbij