The Nomad Bee

Nomad bees (Nomada sp.) are a 'cleptoparasite' (cuckoo) species. They lay their eggs in the nests of other bees, especially Andrena sp.

There are more than 850 species of Nomada, making it one of the largest genera in the entire bee family Apidae, and the largest genus of cleptoparasitic "cuckoo bees."

There are about 30 species of Nomad bee in the UK, and all have a wasp-like appearance. Adult wasps feed on the nectar and pollen of plants such as dandelions, scabious,

I believe this one is a Gooden's Nomad Bee (Nomada goodeniana) – but if you know different, please get in touch! Thanks to Dominic Heard for this great photograph!

Another bee that can very easily be mistaken for a wasp is the Wool Carder bee.

What’s the difference between bees, wasps and hornets? Read here.