Genus Nomia

Classification · Explanation of Names · Numbers · Size · Identification · Range · Season · Life Cycle · Remarks · Internet References · Works Cited

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)

No Taxon (Aculeata - Bees, Ants, and Stinging Wasps)

No Taxon (Anthophila (Apoidea) - Bees)

Family Halictidae (Sweat Bees)

Subfamily Nomiinae

Genus Nomia

Explanation of Names

Author of genus is Latreille 1804

from Greek mythology: Nomia was a Naiad (river spirit)

Numbers

9 spp. (all in the subgenus Acunomia that contains >50 spp.) in our area, ~130 spp. in 7 subgenera worldwide/total(1)

Size

9-22 mm

Identification

Front wing with three submarginal cells; first and third submarginal cells subequal in length: abdominal terga often with green or testaceous apical integumental bands. ('Bees of Florida', referenced below)

Range

much of the world but poorly represented in the Palaearctic (none in Europe & n. Asia) and south of Mexico (map); in our area, across the US (only 2 spp. east of the Mississippi River) but none reaches Canada(1)

Season

Typically Jul-Aug, later in south

Life Cycle

Females are gregarious, but each excavates its own nest in soil, often alkali or clay. (Some species are called "alkali bees".)

Remarks

Some, esp. N. melanderi, are managed commercially for the pollination of alfalfa(2)

Internet References

Bees of Florida(3)--includes key to genera, Subfamily Nomiinae (Nomia, Dieunomia)

Works Cited

1.	Apoidea (Bees; Sphecoid wasps) on discoverlife.org

2.	Entomology and pest management. Third Edition By L.P. Pedigo

3.	The Bees of Florida

Contributed by Ethan Friedman on 27 July, 2005 - 6:54am
Additional contributions by cotinis, Hannah Nendick-Mason, Beatriz Moisset, v belov
Last updated 9 April, 2012 - 10:17am

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