David Element
Wildlife Photography and Digital
Video Images
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Hymenoptera 45 – Black-horned Nomad Bees
BLACK-HORNED NOMAD BEE Nomada
rufipes (f)
BLACK-HORNED NOMAD BEE Nomada
rufipes (f)
BLACK-HORNED
NOMAD BEE Nomada rufipes
(f)
BLACK-HORNED NOMAD BEE Nomada
rufipes (f)
BLACK-HORNED
NOMAD BEE Nomada rufipes
(f)
BLACK-HORNED
NOMAD BEE Nomada rufipes (f)
·
The
Black-horned Nomad Bee Nomada rufipes is one of more than 30 similar
rather wasp-like cleptoparasitic bees inhabiting the
UK with mainly black and yellow or black and rufous markings and relatively hairless
bodies. These bees lay their eggs in the nests of other solitary bees, often
(but not exclusively) belonging to the Andrena genus. Each will
utilise one or more species as a host. Once the egg has been laid the Nomada larva will kill the intended recipient of the
food-supply (by biting it!) that has been provided by the unwitting host
species and exploit this resource for its own development. A close study of the
biology of ground-nesting solitary bees will reveal some fascinating (and to
human eyes perhaps rather disturbing and ruthless) behaviour and the
interrelationship between bees, parasitic bees, wasps and flies is highly
complex and absorbing to watch – even if it means getting one’s knees dirty!
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