Gold-barred Nomia Bee -

Family MEGACHILIDAE

This page contains pictures and information about Gold-barred Nomia Bees that we found in the Brisbane area, Queensland, Australia.


Body length 10mm

We sometimes find this Gold-barred Nomia Bee resting on grass during summer evening.



Its thorax and head are hairy. The abdomen is white and black colour striped. There is the bright orange spot on the tip of abdomen.



This bee build nest in holes of hardwood timber, include man-made drilled holes. The entrance is usually sealed with solid resin plug. They provision their brood with pollen and nectar.



We recognized this bee by its forewing vein. Forewings have three sub-marginal cells. The 1st and 3rd sub-marginal cells equal in length, with much shorter 2nd sub-marginal cell.. They have pollen-carrying scopa on hind legs and bottom of abdomen.

Reference:
1. Northern Territory Insects, A Comprehensive Guide CD - Graham Brown, 2009.
2. Native Bees of the Sydney region, a field guide - Anne Dollin, Michael Batley, Martyn Robinson & Brian Faulkner, Australian Native Bee Research Centre. P46.