# Common Blue Mud-Dauber Wasp (*chalybion californicum*) The Common Blue Mud-Dauber Wasp is a shiny blue insect known for its amazing building skills. These wasps create mud nests that are perfect for their babies to grow up in! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 10 - **Habitat:** They are usually found in gardens, fields, and near water sources where they can find mud. - **Also known as:** Blue Mud Wasp, California Mud Wasp, Mud Dauber ![Common Blue Mud-Dauber Wasp](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Nearctic_Blue_Mud-dauber_Wasp_imported_from_iNaturalist_photo_222892817_on_20_March_2024.jpg&width=800) Photo: (c) Nell Cant, some rights reserved (CC BY), CC BY 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nearctic_Blue_Mud-dauber_Wasp_imported_from_iNaturalist_photo_222892817_on_20_March_2024.jpg) ## Appearance The Common Blue Mud-Dauber Wasp is a slender insect, showcasing a striking metallic iridescent blue or blue-black body. It has a very thin, distinct waist connecting its abdomen and thorax, and its wings are typically dark and slightly smoky. Its shimmering appearance sets it apart from duller, blacker mud daubers. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Sphecidae - **Genus:** Chalybion ## Interesting facts - Female wasps don't kill spiders for their young; they paralyze them to keep them fresh! - Its stunning metallic blue color comes from light reflecting off tiny structures, not pigment. - They rarely sting humans, preferring to save their venom for paralyzing spider prey. - This wasp often reuses abandoned mud nests from other dauber species, saving building time! ## Special abilities - **Mud Masonry:** Common Blue Mud-Dauber Wasps can construct robust, thimble-shaped nests from mud because it helps them protect their offspring. - **Spider Sting:** Common Blue Mud-Dauber Wasps can paralyze spiders with a targeted sting that provides fresh food for their young. - **Cocoon Weaving:** Common Blue Mud-Dauber Wasps have larvae that spin tough silk cocoons that help them safely transform into adults. - **Iridescent Shine:** Common Blue Mud-Dauber Wasps have a metallic blue shimmer that helps them both attract mates and deter predators. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 20-35 mm - **Size:** 10-18 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-90 days - **Flight Speed:** 20 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults drink nectar; larvae feast on paralyzed spiders provided by their mother. - **Age differences:** Adults consume nectar, while larvae develop by eating spiders provisioned by the female wasp. - **Primary Foods:** Spiders (for larvae), Nectar (for adults), Honeydew (for adults), Orb-weaver spiders, Jumping spiders - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** European Garden Spider (*Araneus diadematus*) — Paralyzes and provisions for its young. - **Hunts:** Bold Jumper (*Phidippus audax*) — A common spider prey for its developing larvae. - **Pollinates:** [Canada Goldenrod](https://www.snappit.app/explore/canada-goldenrod) (*Solidago canadensis*) — Adults visit flowers for nectar, aiding pollination. - **Eaten by:** [Western Kingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-kingbird) (*Tyrannus verticalis*) — A bird known to prey on adult wasps. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Do not disturb their nests as they can be startled. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Common Blue Mud-Dauber Wasp? Compare the antennae, wings, waist, body hair and legs. Yellow and black stripes show up on bees, wasps and harmless mimics alike. Bee & Wasp Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Common Blue Mud-Dauber Wasp's wingspan? 20-35 mm ### How big is Common Blue Mud-Dauber Wasp? 10-18 mm ### How long does Common Blue Mud-Dauber Wasp live? 30-90 days ### How fast can Common Blue Mud-Dauber Wasp fly? 20 km/h ### What does Common Blue Mud-Dauber Wasp eat? Adults drink nectar; larvae feast on paralyzed spiders provided by their mother. ### Where is Common Blue Mud-Dauber Wasp usually found? They are usually found in gardens, fields, and near water sources where they can find mud. ### How does Common Blue Mud-Dauber Wasp hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Arden Park–East Boston Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arden-park-east-boston-historic-district) — Michigan, US · Historic District - [Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/black-diamond-mines-regional-preserve) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Haskell-Baker Wetlands](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/haskell-baker-wetlands) — Kansas, US · Nature Reserve - [Russian Village Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/russian-village-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bartlett-arboretum-and-gardens) — Connecticut, US · Botanical Garden - [Hanover County Courthouse Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hanover-county-courthouse-historic-district) — Virginia, US · Historic District [View all places to see Common Blue Mud-Dauber Wasp](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/common-blue-mud-dauber-wasp) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Common Blue Mud-Dauber Wasp: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-blue-mud-dauber-wasp)