HYMENOPTERA > APOCRITA | Aculeata > APOIDEA > Apidae

Nomada leucophthalma is a tri-coloured species with an entirely black scutum, and with the females having reddish rather than yellow spots on the scutellum, which makes them easily separable from Nomada lathburiana. The abdomen has a reddish band across tergite 1, yellow separated spots on the sides of tergites 2 and 3, and then yellow bands across tergites 4 and 5, all with black bands across the bases showing the translucent hind margin of the previous segment. The scutellum has a pair of reddish spots that are often fused together; and the tegulae, pronotal tubercles and extreme lower face are also reddish. The males have more extensive yellow on the tergites often with continuous bands rather than separated spots.

As their common name suggests, they are usually the first nomad species to appear and, certainly in respect of the male featured below, the earliest nomad that I've photographed. They have widespread, albeit scattered, distribution and can typically be seen anytime from early March to mid-May.