A new case of gynandromorphism in the parasitic bee Nomada lathburiana (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Apidae)

Gynandromorphy is a case of teratological aberration in which a specimen displays both male and female morphological characters. Gynandromorphs can constitute a powerful source of information for pairing sexes and studying the developmental mechanisms underlying sexually dimorphic traits. In this paper, a second case of gynandromorphy is unveiled in a specimen of Nomada lathburiana found in Tournai (Belgium). The studied specimen, classified as a mosaic gynandromorph, displays a largely asymmetric mix of male and female features only on the head. Further research in entomological collections should reveal other cases of teratological aberrations like the one reported here. Such cases offer valuable insights into the broader understanding of gynandromorphy.