Chalybion zimmermanni

Dahlbom, 1843

Zimmerman's Mud-dauber Wasp, Zimmermann's Mud Wasp

Chalybion zimmermanni is a solitary thread-waisted in the . It is one of two Chalybion found north of Mexico, distinguished from the widespread C. californicum by its more restricted southeastern and southwestern U.S. distribution, thoracic hairs, and smoky rather than violaceous coloration. Like its , it is a -hunting wasp that repurposes existing mud nests rather than constructing its own.

Chalybion zimmermanni by (c) James Todd McCann, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by James Todd McCann. Used under a CC-BY license.

Chalybion zimmermanni aztecum by (c) Francisco Farriols Sarabia, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Francisco Farriols Sarabia. Used under a CC-BY license.

Chalybion zimmermanni aztecum by (c) Morgan Hay, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Morgan Hay. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Chalybion zimmermanni: //kəˈlɪbiən zɪˈmɛrməni//

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Identification

Distinguished from the similar Chalybion californicum by hairs on the (versus dark hairs in C. californicum) and smoky coloration rather than violaceous. Males lack and may be found in . The is generally smaller and less brightly metallic than the superficially similar Chlorion aerarium (Steel Hunter), which has originating lower on the and a toothed .

Images

Habitat

Utilizes pre-existing cavities for nesting, including abandoned mud nests of Sceliphron caementarium (Black and Mud Dauber) and other sheltered locations on buildings. Often found in proximity to human structures where suitable nest substrates occur.

Distribution

Ranges from Tennessee and North Carolina south to Florida, west to Texas, Arizona, and into Utah. Present in Middle America and North America. More restricted in range than the transcontinental C. californicum.

Diet

feed on nectar from flowers and , oozing sap from wounded trees, and secreted by and . Females provision nests with paralyzed , including black widows (Latrodectus mactans), other cobweb weavers (Theridiidae), small weavers (Araneidae), and occasionally lynx spiders (Oxyopidae), crab spiders (Thomisidae), or (Salticidae).

Host Associations

Latrodectus mactans - Southern Black Widow, among known

Life Cycle

Females lay a single on the first placed in a mud . The hatches and consumes the provisioned spiders, spins a papery silken , and pupates. emerge by chewing a round exit hole at the end of the cell; holes in other parts of the nest indicate .

Behavior

Females are solitary nesters that take over or remodel abandoned mud nests by carrying water to soften and reshape the mud. They hunt by landing on webs without entanglement, vibrating the web to simulate struggling , and stinging the spider into paralysis when it approaches. Males gather in ('bachelor parties') to roost. Neither sex is aggressive toward humans.

Ecological Role

of , including medically significant like black widows. May provide incidental of spider around human habitation. Serves as for that emerge from anomalous holes in mud nests.

Human Relevance

Often nests on exterior building surfaces. Non-aggressive; only occur if females are physically grabbed. Presence sometimes causes concern due to resemblance to more aggressive , but no control measures are warranted. Males in roosting may alarm residents but cannot sting.

Similar Taxa

Chalybion californicumNearly identical with dark thoracic hairs, violaceous , and transcontinental distribution; both repurpose Sceliphron nests and hunt using web-vibration tactics
Chlorion aerariumLarger size, brighter metallic coloration, lower antennal insertion, toothed , and -hunting rather than ; males similarly non-aggressive