Genus Nomia

Alkali Bees (especially Nomia melanderi)

Author of genus is Latreille, 1804. Perhaps from Greek mythology--Nomia was a Naiad (river spirit), see Wikipedia.

Arnett (1) lists 25 species in five subgenera.

9-22 mm

"Front wing with three submarginal cells...first and third submarginal cells subequal in length: abdominal terga often with green or testaceous apical integumental bands." - from Bees of Florida site, referenced below.

Much of North America.

Typically late summer, July-August, later in south.

Adults take nectar and gather pollen to feed the brood.

Females are gregarious, but each excavates its own nest in soil, often alkali or clay. (Some species are called "alkali bees".) Each nest is irregular, with about 15-20 cells, and nest construction takes about 30 days (N. melanderi). Larva (of some species, at least) overwinter in a prepupal stage and complete growth in a second year, so life cycle is two years (2) (3).

Some, N. mlanderi in particular, are managed commercially for the pollination of alfalfa.

Arnett, p. 603--description (1)

Milne, pp. 853-854, fig. 510--N. nevadensis (2)

Arnett and Jacques #300--N. melanderi (3)

Taber, pp. 66-67, fig. 54--photo of male N. nortoni (4)

Bees of Florida: Halictidae--includes key to genera, Subfamily Nomiinae (only genus Nomia)

North Carolina State University Entomology lists from that state, with number pinned: maneei (34), nevadensis (58), nortoni (33).