Metallic-blue
Guides
Auplopus caerulescens
Blue Mud-dauber Spider Wasp
Auplopus caerulescens is a small spider-hunting wasp in the family Pompilidae, tribe Auplopini. Females construct distinctive barrel-shaped mud cells, typically 15 mm long and 7-10 mm wide, often placed inside pre-existing cavities such as hollows in wood, rock crevices, or abandoned nests of other wasps. The species is known for its bright metallic blue-green coloration, with females bearing a diagnostic pygidial plate used to manipulate mud during nest construction. It is widely distributed across North America.
Chalybion
blue mud dauber wasps, blue mud-daubers, blue nest-renting wasps
Chalybion is a genus of solitary wasps in the family Sphecidae, commonly known as blue mud dauber or blue nest-renting wasps. The genus comprises approximately 49 described species distributed across North America, Africa, Asia, and Australia. These wasps are characterized by metallic blue to blue-black coloration and are notable for their unique nesting behavior: rather than constructing their own nests, they primarily utilize pre-existing cavities, particularly abandoned mud nests of other wasps such as Sceliphron species. They provision these nests with paralyzed spiders as food for their larvae. Some species, notably Chalybion californicum, are significant predators of medically important spiders including black widows (Latrodectus species).
Chalybion californicum
Common Blue Mud-dauber Wasp, Blue Mud Dauber
Chalybion californicum is a solitary mud-dauber wasp with metallic blue coloration, widely distributed across North America. Females are renowned as predators of black widow spiders and other web-building spiders, using specialized hunting tactics including web vibration to lure prey. Unlike most mud-daubers, this species does not construct nests from scratch but instead renovates abandoned mud nests, particularly those of Sceliphron caementarium. The species is not aggressive toward humans and has been introduced to several regions outside its native range.
Chlorion
cricket hunter wasps, steel-blue cricket hunters
Chlorion is a genus of solitary sphecid wasps distributed across the Americas, Africa, and tropical Asia through Java. The genus contains approximately 20 described species, including the well-known Steel-blue Cricket Hunter Wasp (Chlorion aerarium). Females construct underground burrows provisioned with paralyzed orthopteran prey—primarily crickets for most species, though Chlorion cyaneum preys on cockroaches. The genus is characterized by metallic blue to violet coloration, large size, and distinctive nesting behavior often associated with hard-packed soil habitats.
Chlorion aerarium
steel-blue cricket hunter, aphid wasp
Chlorion aerarium, the steel-blue cricket hunter, is a large, solitary thread-waisted wasp in the family Sphecidae. Females hunt crickets (Gryllidae) as prey for their larvae, paralyzing them with venom and caching them in underground burrows. The species is frequently mistaken for the similar blue mud dauber (Chalybion californicum), but is generally larger, brighter metallic blue to violet in color, and less hairy. Both sexes feed primarily on fermenting plant sap rather than nectar.
Chlorion cyaneum
purplish-blue cricket hunter, Iridescent Cockroach-hunter Wasp
Chlorion cyaneum, commonly known as the purplish-blue cricket hunter or iridescent cockroach-hunter wasp, is a species of thread-waisted wasp in the family Sphecidae. It is a solitary predatory wasp that hunts cockroaches as prey. The species exhibits a distinctive metallic blue to purplish coloration and is found in North America and Middle America.
Lasaia sula
blue metalmark, Blue Lasaia
Lasaia sula, commonly known as the blue metalmark or Blue Lasaia, is a small butterfly species in the family Riodinidae. It is native to North America and Central America, with a range extending from southern Texas to Honduras. The species is notable for its metallic blue dorsal wing surfaces and inhabits subtropical forest environments as well as disturbed habitats.
Limonia venusta
V-marked Lady Beetle
Limonia venusta, commonly known as the V-marked Lady Beetle, is a metallic blue beetle with a distinctive orange pronotum. The subspecies Neoharmonia venusta ampla is restricted to a narrow geographic range from central Arizona to south Texas. This beetle is not commonly encountered despite its striking appearance. It was documented during field surveys in New Mexico, specifically along the Middle Fork of the Gila River.
Morphini
Morphos and Allies
Morphini is a tribe of nymphalid butterflies within the subfamily Satyrinae, comprising two subtribes: Antirrheina and Morphina. The tribe includes the iconic genus Morpho, known for large butterflies with brilliant metallic blue dorsal wing surfaces, as well as the genera Antirrhea and Caerois. Members are primarily Neotropical in distribution. The group is characterized by substantial body size, with some Morpho species reaching wingspans of four to six inches.
Necrobia
Ham Beetles
Necrobia is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae, commonly known as ham beetles. Unlike most clerids, which are predatory, Necrobia species are carrion-feeders and significant pests of stored animal products. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution and includes species frequently encountered on dried meat, fish, and museum specimens.
Neoharmonia venusta
V-marked Lady Beetle
Neoharmonia venusta is a species of lady beetle (Coccinellidae) found across much of North America and Mexico. The species comprises two recognized subspecies: N. v. venusta in the eastern and central United States, and N. v. ampla in the southwestern U.S. and Mexico. The nominate subspecies displays a metallic blue coloration with an orange pronotum, while the southwestern subspecies N. v. ampla is notably less commonly encountered.
Parrhasius
Parrhasius is a genus of Neotropical hairstreak butterflies in the family Lycaenidae. The genus includes the White M hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album), characterized by metallic blue upper wings and a distinctive M-shaped pattern on its silver-colored underside. Species in this genus are associated with oak habitats and have documented relationships with tending ants.
Parrhasius m-album
white M hairstreak, White-M Hairstreak
Parrhasius m-album is a small hairstreak butterfly (wingspan 32–41 mm) with metallic blue upper wings and a distinctive silver underside marked by an M-shaped pattern. Females are larger than males. The species is strongly associated with oak habitats throughout the southeastern and central United States.