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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies (Hymenoptera) » Aculeata - Ants, Bees and Stinging Wasps » Apoidea sans Anthophila – Apoid Wasps » Thread-waisted Wasps (Sphecidae) » Chloriontinae » Chlorion » Iridescent Cockroach-hunter Wasp (Chlorion cyaneum)
Photo#1391272
Male, Sphecidae - Chlorion cyaneum - male
Copyright © 2017 Salvador Vitanza

Male, Sphecidae - Chlorion cyaneum - Male
Nogales, Santa Cruz County, Arizona, USA
June 24, 2017
Size: 18.5 mm (to tip abdomen)
Dozens of these wasps were actively flying around and over the canopy of a Chilean Mesquite tree. They appeared to be a lek.
Coordinates: 31.335269, -110.938018
What I found most interesting about this situation is the fact that there were just as many Chalybion zimmermanni aztecum males in the same spot, which leads to ponder if it was coincidental or an association. See:

Images of this individual: tag all
Male, Sphecidae - Chlorion cyaneum - male Male, Sphecidae - Chlorion cyaneum - male Male, Sphecidae - Chlorion cyaneum - male Male, Sphecidae - Chlorion cyaneum - male Male, Sphecidae - Chlorion cyaneum - male Male, Sphecidae - Chlorion cyaneum - male Male, Sphecidae - Chlorion cyaneum - male Male, Sphecidae - Chlorion cyaneum - male Male, Sphecidae - Chlorion cyaneum - male
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Contributed by Salvador Vitanza on 24 June, 2017 - 10:43pm
Last updated 17 December, 2017 - 6:52pm

Moved
Moved from Blue Mud Wasps.

Note, these males have silvery appressed pubescence on the face. This distinguishes them from the very similar males of the Steel-blue Cricket Hunter, Chlorion aerarium.
… Bob Biagi, 17 December, 2017 - 4:36pm login or register to post comments

Chlorion sp.
Check the third sub-marginal cell on the wings. The hind edge meets the marginal cell at the same point as hind edge of the second sub-marginal cell. In the genus Chalybion, they are always well separated.
Please compare:
Chalybion zimmermanni aztecum: - Chalybion californicum: More differences can be seen on the thorax. Please compare this guy with your fourth shot: ♂ He lacks the rows of ridges that show up on this guy.
Chlorion aerarium: This one matches your last image. This feature applies to both genders in both genera. OK, he looks much like this guy, that you filmed: ♂
… Bob Biagi, 17 December, 2017 - 3:28pm login or register to post comments

 
The feature that you pointed out
is clearly seen when comparing the two wing images. Thanks for the lesson!
… Salvador Vitanza, 17 December, 2017 - 4:25pm login or register to post comments

Moved
Moved from Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies.
… John S. Ascher, 25 June, 2017 - 8:26am login or register to post comments

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