Blunthorn Nomad Bee
Nomada flavopicta
The Blunthorn Nomad Bee (Nomada flavopicta) is a cuckoo bee species characterized by its distinctive yellow and black markings and relatively blunt antennal segments that give it its common name. As a cleptoparasitic species, it does not collect pollen itself but instead lays its eggs in the nests of solitary ground-nesting bees, where its larvae consume the host's provisions.
29
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
Blunthorn Nomad Bee belongs to the family Apidae, order Hymenoptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
The Blunthorn Nomad Bee (Nomada flavopicta) is a cuckoo bee species characterized by its distinctive yellow and black markings and relatively blunt antennal segments that give it its common name. As a cleptoparasitic species, it does not collect pollen itself but instead lays its eggs in the nests of solitary ground-nesting bees, where its larvae consume the host's provisions. This specialized lifestyle makes it an important component of native bee community dynamics and pollination networks.
The Blunthorn Nomad Bee faces significant threats from habitat loss due to agricultural intensification and urban development, which reduces availability of both host bee species and floral resources. 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, meadows, heathlands, and woodland edges with abundant flowering plants, particularly in areas where host Andrena bee species nest in sandy or well-drained soils. This species is typically found in semi-natural habitats across Europe, including coastal dunes, chalk downs, and traditional agricultural landscapes.
Threats
Agricultural intensification and pesticide use
Decline of host bee populations
Habitat loss and fragmentation
Climate change impacts
Loss of native flowering plants
Found in 29 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 | LCLeast Concern | 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). Blunthorn Nomad Bee (Nomada flavopicta). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/blunthorn-nomad-bee