Iridescent Cockroach-hunter Wasp
Chlorion cyaneum
This record describes Chlorion cyaneum (species). Recorded family: Sphecidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Trigonaloidea
- Family
- Sphecidae (Thread-waisted Wasps)
- Subfamily
- Chloriontinae
- Genus
- Chlorion
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
AZ, NM, TX; Mexico
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Nests are provisioned with cockroaches, specifically Arenivaga bolliana . ( 3 )
Life History
C. cyaneum digs nests in the soil. Unlike in C. aerarium , the cells are not constructed in tandem. The female then hunts for cockroaches in leaf litter, and the prey is then dragged to the nest dorsum-up. After eggs are laid, they usually take 2 days to hatch. ( 3 )
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Chlorion cyaneum. 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 Iridescent Cockroach-hunter Wasp (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by margarethe brummermann; Additional contributions by ceiseman , Robert H. Biagi , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Iridescent Cockroach-hunter Wasp
Where is Iridescent Cockroach-hunter Wasp found?
Range: AZ, NM, TX; Mexico
What does Iridescent Cockroach-hunter Wasp eat?
The diet of the Iridescent Cockroach-hunter Wasp includes Nests are provisioned with cockroaches, specifically Arenivaga bolliana . ( 3 ).
What is the life cycle of a Iridescent Cockroach-hunter Wasp?
C. cyaneum digs nests in the soil. Unlike in C. aerarium , the cells are not constructed in tandem. The female then hunts for cockroaches in leaf litter, and the prey is then dragged to the nest dorsum-up. After eggs are laid, they usually take 2 days to hatch. ( 3 )