[1] The name "Nomada" is derived from the Greek word nomas (νομάς), meaning "roaming" or "wandering.

"[2] Nomada are kleptoparasites of many different types of bees as hosts, primarily the genus Andrena, but also Agapostemon, Melitta, Eucera and Exomalopsis.

They vary greatly in appearance between species, and can be stripeless, or have yellow or white integumental markings on their abdomen.

[3] In general, females are easily identifiable by the lack of scopa, reduced body hair, thick exoskeleton, and mandibles.

[7] Separation of this genus from other Nomadinae can be difficult; details of the wing venation, and the nature of the patch of silvery setae at the tip of the female metasoma are the best distinguishing features.

Species of Nomada exhibit an unusual behavior where adult bees are observed to be sleeping by using only their mandibles to hold onto plants.

[11] As is the case for other nomadines, this behavior violates “Emery’s rule” which states that social parasites tend to be either closely related to or sister species of their host.

Before mating, male Nomada will fly locally secreting a scent which mimics the host female.

[1] Additionally, Nomada may sometimes leave multiple eggs into one host cell, a frequent trait of kleptoparasitic bees.

The pheromone transfer may also disguise the scent of the female Nomada, allowing her to enter the host nest undetected.

[14] Nomada bees are holometabolous and they follow the general process of: (1) egg (2) larvae (3) pupa (4) adult.