donkere dubbeltand
Nomada obscura
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Jens Bokelaar, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Jens Bokelaar
Overview
The donkere dubbeltand (Nomada obscura) is a dark-colored cuckoo bee species characterized by its distinctive double-toothed mandibles and somber brownish-black coloration with minimal yellow markings. As a cleptoparasitic bee, it infiltrates the nests of solitary ground-nesting bees, particularly Andrena species, where females lay their eggs in host brood cells, with the developing larvae consuming the host's provisions.
Nomada obscura, a cuckoo bee species, faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of natural grasslands and heathlands where its host species nest. The species is particularly vulnerable because it depends on specific host bee species for reproduction, making it susceptible to cascading effects when host populations decline. Agricultural intensification and urbanization have fragmented remaining suitable habitats across its European range.
Habitat
Nomada obscura inhabits flower-rich grasslands, heathlands, and woodland edges with sandy or well-drained soils that support populations of its ground-nesting bee hosts. The species requires diverse blooming plants from early spring through summer, particularly favoring areas with abundant dandelions, willows, and other early-season nectar sources.
Other threatened species in Apidae
Threatened in Austria
Frequently asked questions
Why is donkere dubbeltand classified as Critically Endangered?
Where does donkere dubbeltand live?
What are the main threats to donkere dubbeltand?
Get weekly conservation intelligence
One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.
Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.