Blunthorn Nomad Bee - Nomada flavopicta

Length 8-11mm. This a medium sized black and yellow Nomad Bee. The abdomen has yellow markings almost merging on T1, then widely separated on T2 and T3. There are two yellow marks on the scutellum, and the tegulae, pronotal turbercles and collar are also yellow. The antennae are almost completely black. The lower face is yellow in the male and orange in the female. The legs are mostly orange with some darkening of the femora in males.

Flower rich grassland where the host bee species are found.

Late June to mid Spetember.

A cleptoparasite of Blunthorn Bees (Melitta species).

Note that Melitta species have not been recorded in VC55, however the record of Nomada flavopicta suggests that they are present and should be watched for.

Found across England and Wales as far north as Yorkshire. It is scarce in most areas apart from strongholds like the North and South downs.

The record of 22.vii.2018 is the first for Leicestershire and Rutland.