What is this black winged insect?
July 21, 2011 5:46 PM   Subscribe

Bug identification filter: what is this insect found inside my parents' home in Northern California?

Sorry for the strange coloring in the photos, but the insect is all black, including its wings, though you can see an iridescent blue shimmer in certain light. It's a pretty good size; the last photo shows it next to a quarter for scale. Any ideas? This is in Marin in Northern California. Thanks!

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6004/5962247245_9e84c799c4_b.jpg
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6127/5962801798_39c10d8370_b.jpg
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6021/5962801132_2c80c5190a_b.jpg
posted by Ms. Toad to Science & Nature (6 answers total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
Best answer: Looks like some sort of wasp to me; as a first guess, how about Chalybion californicum, the blue mud wasp or blue mud dauber? Some of those photos look like pretty good matches.
posted by ManyLeggedCreature at 5:55 PM on July 21, 2011


Perhaps it's a Sphex Pensylvanicus?
posted by royalsong at 6:03 PM on July 21, 2011


what's that bug
posted by mlis at 6:09 PM on July 21, 2011


flying ant?
posted by tomswift at 6:11 PM on July 21, 2011


Response by poster: Definitely a blue mud wasp! Many thanks - you guys are the best!
posted by Ms. Toad at 6:14 PM on July 21, 2011


Agree with C. Californicum, the blue mud dauber.
The blue mud dauber is a metallic blue species of mud dauber wasp that preys primarily on black widow spiders.
I love 'em.
posted by Seamus at 7:58 PM on July 21, 2011


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