Four-spotted Cuckoo Bee vs Painted Nomad Bee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Four-spotted Cuckoo Bee Painted Nomad Bee
Scientific Name Nomada leucophthalma Nomada fucata
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Apidae Apidae
Size 9-12 mm 8-10mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Nectar Feeders Parasitoids
Regions Europe, Western Asia Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Four-spotted Cuckoo Bee

A wasp-like cuckoo bee with reddish-brown and yellow markings that parasitizes Andrena mining bees. It is one of the earliest flying spring bees in Europe.

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Did You Know?

It closely resembles a small wasp rather than a bee, which helps it avoid being recognized as a threat by its hosts.

Painted Nomad Bee

A bright yellow and black cuckoo bee that parasitizes the nests of Andrena mining bees.

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Did You Know?

Sneaks into mining bee nests while the host is away foraging and lays eggs that will outcompete the host's larva.