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  3. Zoology

Sandsteppenbiene

English translation: Suggestion

09:07 May 13, 2021
German to English translations [PRO]
Science - Zoology
German term or phrase: Sandsteppenbiene
also known as Dünen-Steppenbiene
Scientific name: Nomioides minutissimus

I cannot find a common English name anywhere. This is for a children's audioguide (bee-themed exhibition) so I really don't want to use the Latin name. Perhaps someone has come across this?
Lesley Robertson MA, Dip Trans IoLET
Austria
Local time: 11:07
English translation:Suggestion
Explanation:
I've done dozens of audioguides, and they've always encouraged me to be creative, especially with kids.

I'd be reluctant to make up a common name when there almost certainly isn't one - I've looked.

Presumably the Latin name will appear on the screen. Even if it doesn't, you could say something like: "This bee doesn't have an English name, but in Latin it's called nomioides minutissimus. Minutissimus means extremely minute, and you can see why. It is TINY."
Selected response from:

philgoddard
United States
Grading comment
Geat suggestion. Thank you!

4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +4Suggestion
philgoddard
3 +3dune steppe bee|sand steppe bee
Brent Sørensen
4 +1sweat bee Nomioides minutissimus
John Speese
4sand dune bee / desert bee / grassy plain bee
Cillie Swart


Discussion entries: 4





  

Answers


3 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +3
dune steppe bee|sand steppe bee


Explanation:
The dune steppe bee or sand steppe bee (Nomioides minutissimus) is a hymenoptera from the Halictidae family
https://de.zxc.wiki/wiki/Dünen-Steppenbiene

Brent Sørensen
Germany
Local time: 11:07
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
Notes to answerer
Asker: @ Brent und Mair A-W - Yes, I found this too but I was searching for a more trustworthy source.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Mair A-W (PhD): this is just a wiki editor literally translating from the German... and no other hits
34 mins
agree  uyuni: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/een.12304
6 hrs
agree  Décio Adams
13 hrs
agree  Liane Poost
1 day 10 hrs
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
sand dune bee / desert bee / grassy plain bee


Explanation:
seems like a simple solution that suits the context.


    https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/steppe/
Cillie Swart
South Africa
Local time: 11:07
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
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3 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +4
Suggestion


Explanation:
I've done dozens of audioguides, and they've always encouraged me to be creative, especially with kids.

I'd be reluctant to make up a common name when there almost certainly isn't one - I've looked.

Presumably the Latin name will appear on the screen. Even if it doesn't, you could say something like: "This bee doesn't have an English name, but in Latin it's called nomioides minutissimus. Minutissimus means extremely minute, and you can see why. It is TINY."

philgoddard
United States
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 8
Grading comment
Geat suggestion. Thank you!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Brent Sørensen: I think this is a good approach
2 hrs
agree  uyuni: or just leave it in Latin...
3 hrs
agree  Cillie Swart: Yeah, makes sense
4 hrs
agree  Mair A-W (PhD)
20 hrs
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3 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
sweat bee Nomioides minutissimus


Explanation:
I googled the scientific name and like everyone else, I didn't find an English language common name either. With insect species, especially ones that aren't (may not be) native to any English speaking countries, this isn't surprising, considering that there are more species of insects than of everything else combined. But this species is in the family Halictidae, members of which are known as sweat bees. Worldwide there are many similar-looking species in this family. At first mention anyway, I would render it as "the sweat bee Nomioides minutissimus" or "sweat bees (Nomioides minutissimus)", etc. and thereafter simply as "sweat bee" or "sweat bees" if it is the only sweat bee/Halictid species mentioned in your text.

John Speese
United States
Local time: 05:07
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 24

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Michele Fauble: https://www.alamy.com/sweat-bee-nomioides-minutissima-nomioi...
4 hrs
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