Blue Mud Wasp: Chalybion

Types of Wasps and Bees Types of Bees Types of Wasps

The handful of dark bodied thread waisted wasps can create identification confusions, especially between the Chalybion and Chlorion genera.

A close-up view of the Blue Mud Wasp (Chalybion californicum) in the top picture shows the hairy head and thorax, usually good field identification clues.

Caught in a good lighting condition, their body color has a metallic blue shine.

They are mud nest builders that hunt spiders to feed their young.

© 2009 Patricia A. Michaels