Zimmermann's Mud-dauber Wasp
Chalybion zimmermanni
This record describes Chalybion zimmermanni (species). Recorded family: Sphecidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Males differ from californicum in part by having long white thorax and head pubescence and lighter wings. Separation of females is based on the morphology of the pleuron, which is usually impossible to do from images. 2 subspecies in our area; ssp. peninsularum in Baja California, MX
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Trigonaloidea
- Family
- Sphecidae (Thread-waisted Wasps)
- Subfamily
- Sceliphrinae
- Tribe
- Sceliphrini
- Genus
- Chalybion (Blue Mud-dauber Wasps)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Bohart and Menke (1963) described C. z. zimmermanni as occuring from SC through s. states to AZ, although their distribution figure also included a TN record. They described C. z. aztecum as occuring from MX into AZ, NM, and w. TX, although their map also included a UT record. Ward (1970) and later Ward and Ode (1984) reported on C. z. zimmermanni being detected in IN, and in 1992 C. zimmermanni was recorded in VA (https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/2805280685), presumably C. z. zimmermanni. Catalog of Sphecidae and GBIF list no other state records besides those mentioned. Recent identifications of iNaturalist and BugGuide observations add OK, AR, NC, and PA for C. z. zimmermanni and confirm it occurs in VA, and add AR and MO for C. z. aztecum, with the possibility that additional states may be confirmed in the future.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Chalybion zimmermanni. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hymenoptera includes over 150,000 described species of ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies. Earth harbors approximately 20 quadrillion (20×10^15) ants, with a combined biomass of ~12 megatons of dry carbon - exceeding the combined biomass of all wild birds and mammals (PNAS, 2022).
Ecological role of the group
About 35% of the world's food crops depend on animal pollinators. The chocolate industry, valued at over $100 billion, depends on pollinating flies and midges. Ants are the dominant soil engineers in most terrestrial ecosystems, turning more soil than earthworms in many habitats.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Pollinators contribute $235-577 billion worth of annual global food production (FAO). In the U.S., bee pollination alone benefits crops valued at $18 billion annually, and honey bees are responsible for $5.4 billion in agricultural productivity. Between April 2023-2024, 55.1% of managed honey bee colonies were lost. The U.S. bee population dropped from 5 million to 2.5 million.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, USDA, EPA, PNAS (2022), US Fish & Wildlife Service. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Zimmermann's Mud-dauber Wasp (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by John S. Ascher; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , PaleoJon , bdagley
Frequently Asked Questions About Zimmermann's Mud-dauber Wasp
What is Zimmermann's Mud-dauber Wasp?
Zimmermann's Mud-dauber Wasp (Chalybion zimmermanni) is a species in the family Sphecidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Zimmermann's Mud-dauber Wasp?
Female 20 mm.
How do you identify Zimmermann's Mud-dauber Wasp?
Males differ from californicum in part by having long white thorax and head pubescence and lighter wings. Separation of females is based on the morphology of the pleuron, which is usually impossible to do from images.
Where is Zimmermann's Mud-dauber Wasp found?
Range: Bohart and Menke (1963) described C. z. zimmermanni as occuring from SC through s. states to AZ, although their distribution figure also included a TN record. They described C. z. aztecum as occuring from MX into AZ, NM, and w. TX, although their map also included a UT record. Ward (1970) and later Ward and Ode (1984) reported on C. z. zimmermanni being detected in IN, and in 1992 C. zimmermanni was recorded in VA (https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/2805280685), presumably C. z. zimmermanni. Catalog of Sphecidae and GBIF list no other state records besides those mentioned. Recent identifications of iNaturalist and BugGuide observations add OK, AR, NC, and PA for C. z. zimmermanni and confirm it occurs in VA, and add AR and MO for C. z. aztecum, with the possibility that additional states may be confirmed in the future.