One of the larger-sized, summer-flying Nomada which is marked just in black and yellow, with conspicuous yellow markings on the tegulae and the scutellum. It is one of a small group of Nomada which appear to be virtually hairless (there are very short hairs, but a microscope or hand-lens is needed to appreciate these). In the field the insect often appears to be matt, not shiny. Intriguingly it may sometimes be found where its putative hosts (bees of the genus Melitta) have not been recorded. However, it is not usually abundant wherever it is found.
Over southern and central England with a few records in Wales and just reaching southern Scotland. There are no Irish records.
It is widely distributed in southern and central Europe.
This species is listed in Falk (1991) as Notable B (now known as Nationally Scarce).
Found in a wide range of habitats.
Univoltine; late June to mid September.
A cuckoo species, it does not make its own nest, but lays its eggs in the nests of mining bees of the genus Melitta, probably using all four British species.
Visits a wide variety of flowers.
No data available.
2018