Blunthorn Nomad Bee

The Blunthorn Nomad Bee is a nationally scarce wasp-like bee but can be found in parts of southern England, including the New Forest.

Like other nomad bees, it is a ‘cuckoo’ species, meaning it does not build its own nest but instead lays its eggs in the nests of other bees – most often mining bees.

In the Forest, it is typically associated with heathland and sandy soils where its host species nest.

These habitats, shaped by traditional grazing and commoning and enhanced through the Species Survival Fund project, provide important nectar sources for both the nomad bee and its hosts.