NationStates Jolt Archive

We're cleaning out my parents shed, a job which has evidently been englected since we built the damn thing in 1992, and there are these strange bugs flying in and out (evidently they have a nest). They're shaped like wasps and fly like wasps, but they're metallic blue! Seriously, the carapace is this kinda pretty blue color. Any ideas what the hell these might be?

Something like this? (http://bugguide.net/node/view/33162/bgpage)

Any ideas what the hell these might be?Not a clue, but if they're purplish and you're from the mediterranean, watch out. Those things are not fun.

EDIT: Might be these, (http://www.pollinator.com/beneficials/trypaxylon_politum.htm) if you're American

Mud daubers are solitary wasps that construct small nests of mud in or around homes, sheds, and barns and under open structures, bridges and similar sites. Several species exist in Iowa. These wasps are long and slender with a narrow, thread-like waist. Some are a solid steel blue or black but others have additional yellow markings.

http://www.e-bug.net/forum/messages/15610.shtml

Mud daubers are solitary wasps that construct small nests of mud in or around homes, sheds, and barns and under open structures, bridges and similar sites. Several species exist in Iowa. These wasps are long and slender with a narrow, thread-like waist. Some are a solid steel blue or black but others have additional yellow markings.

http://www.e-bug.net/forum/messages/15610.shtml

Sweet, thanks. They haven't stung any of us (yet) and seem okay, as bugs go. They're also kinda pretty.

Something like this? (http://bugguide.net/node/view/33162/bgpage)

No, the whole body is this kinda metallic sky blue. The wings are black.

Not a clue, but if they're purplish and you're from the mediterranean, watch out. Those things are not fun.

EDIT: Might be these, (http://www.pollinator.com/beneficials/trypaxylon_politum.htm) if you're American

We're in Michigan, USA. We're also sweating our faces off, it's pretty freaking hot out there.

Sweet, thanks. They haven't stung any of us (yet) and seem okay, as bugs go. They're also kinda pretty.
If they are mud daubers, they are lazy bastards and could pretty much couldn't give a damn about stinging you. Around here they had a habit of making nests in the canopy of my grandmother's pontoon boat; bastards just flew in and out all day and didn't really pay us any attention. Wasps and hornets are bastards though.

EDIT: This it? (http://www.whatsthatbug.com/images/blue_mudwasp_joann.jpg)

If they are mud daubers, they are lazy bastards and could pretty much couldn't give a damn about stinging you. Around here they had a habit of making nests in the canopy of my grandmother's pontoon boat; bastards just flew in and out all day and didn't really pay us any attention. Wasps and hornets are bastards though.

EDIT: This it? (http://www.whatsthatbug.com/images/blue_mudwasp_joann.jpg)

The pic looks close, but the wings are skinnier on the ones we've got. And I'm grateful that they're lazy, last time I got stung, the damn thing managed to get the venom directly in the big joint of my third finger. That hurt like a sumbitch, let me tell you. And I had to miss work, because it was my right hand and I couldn't write. Bastard wasp/bee thing...

They're definitely mud daubers. Or at least, that's the only bug of that description that I know of in Michigan.

Interesting coincidence - I just saw a few flying around my yard today. Crazy-looking things. I thought they were flying cockroaches. :p

Mud daubers are solitary wasps that construct small nests of mud in or around homes, sheds, and barns and under open structures, bridges and similar sites. Several species exist in Iowa. These wasps are long and slender with a narrow, thread-like waist. Some are a solid steel blue or black but others have additional yellow markings.

http://www.e-bug.net/forum/messages/15610.shtml

Dang it. I was about to post the answer! :(

Blag-Flag them

They might be Butt Wasps. Don't let them near your butt. *nod*

Butt wasps, known to make their homes in butt pirate ships.