Blue-black Spider Wasp
Anoplius americanus
A glossy blue-black spider wasp found in open woods, fields, sandy paths, and edges of disturbed ground across much of North America. Adults feed mainly on nectar, but females actively hunt spiders by running over soil and vegetation, then use a venomous sting to paralyze prey. The immobilized spider is dragged to a nest burrow or cavity as food for a developing larva. Its metallic dark body and restless, ground-skimming search pattern make it a striking hunter despite its small size.
- Type
- Venom / Wing
- Conservation status
- NE
Growth chain
- ?
- ?
- Blue-black Spider Wasp