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Photo#2122374
“Noctural clustering” of Chalybion sp.  - Chalybion zimmermanni

“Noctural clustering” of Chalybion sp. - Chalybion zimmermanni
Boerne, Kendall County, Texas, USA
May 27, 2022
I happened to notice these wasps flying around the tops of two chains that hold up a swing on my mother’s covered porch. At first I thought I’d disturbed a nest and made everyone mad. Then the more I thought about it, the more I decided I’d bothered some males that were jockeying for sleeping positions on the chain. Sure enough, I returned close to 9 p.m. (dark) and they were snoozing. Here’s a paper I found on the behavior, which I’d only seen in male solitary bees that sleep together upside down. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/313159553_NOCTURNAL_CLUSTERING_OF_THE_SOLITARY_WASP_CHALYBION_CALIFORNICUM_SAUSSURE_HYMENOPTERA_SPHECIDAE

Moved
Moved from Blue Mud-dauber Wasps.

male, note long white thorax and head hair and light wings except at the apex.

Moved
Moved from ID Request.

 
Thank you!
I always give y’all credit when you help me with insects IDs. Thank you! https://sherylsmithrodgers.blogspot.com/2022/05/when-wasps-go-to-bed.html

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