Fabricius' Nomad Bee - Nomada fabriciana

Females can be identified by their reddish antennae with several of the intermediate segments being black. This banded appearance is visible in the field. Both sexes have a reddish abdomen, often having small yellow spots. It also has bidentate mandibles.  The combination of bifid mandibles and black labrum is unique in Nomada species.

Several other Nomada species have reddish abdomens

To be expected wherever its host species Andrena bicolor are well established.

Bivoltine, from March to June, and June to August.

Nomada fabriciana is a cleptoparasite of Andrena bicolor.

Widely distributed in England and Wales (especially so in the south), sporadic in Scotland and Ireland.

Thought to be fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland.