Species Chlorion aerarium - Steel-blue Cricket-hunter Wasp

Steel-blue cricket wasp

Chlorion aerarium Patton 1879

~25 mm

Ch. cyaneum (which co-occurs with Ch. aerarium in sAZ and sTX) can be distinguished as follows(1):

transcontinental(2): so. Canada to Mexico

Although generally not closely associated with humans, they are found wherever their hosts (Gryllus crickets) are found, which could include close proximity to homes (though not so much as Sceliphron and Chalybion). Chlorion is usually found in open areas such as meadows, overgrown fields, dunes, beach edges, etc., although they may not necessarily hunt in the same habitat as they nest. They are sometimes associated with the Cicada Killer where the ranges of these two wasps overlap, C. aerarium digging burrows off side of the larger wasps nest (O'Brien, 1989).

Females with prey:

Females mass-provision several serial cells, each containing from 2 to 9 nymphs or adults of Gryllus. Prey are dragged venter-up, with the wasp's mandibles grasping the cricket's antennae.

O'Brien M.F. (1989) Distribution and biology of the sphecine wasps of Michigan (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae: Sphecinae). Great Lakes Entomol. 22: 199-217.