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Please help me identify this bug
Dear Bugman,
I live in south Texas and I have noticed these guys showing up at dusk and leaving in the morning all spring. At first they would land on one of my ferns in a hanging basket. They seemed to like one particular frond. I began to worry that the fern was being damaged, so I moved it away. That night they showed up and moved in on my ivy basket. This time they aren’t on the plant itself, but just the pot. There are so many on the bottom of the pot that it gives me the willies. I wish they would go away, but I’m not going to kill them. Any idea what they are? Thanks for your help.
Teresa Eaton

Hi Theresa,
The behavior you describe and have photographed is something we have encountered with the in the past, but those were striped wasps. BugGuide shows genus of black Tiphids, Tiphia, but we are not certain this is your insect. We will contact your namesake (and perhaps long lost cousin) Eric Eaton to see what he can add.

Update: (06/14/2008)
Daniel:
The image of the large aggregation of wasps depicts male (read STINGLESS) blue mud daubers, Chalybion californicum. The deep metallic color does not always show up well in photos, but this behavior is a real signature of the species. Males are anatomically incapable of stinging, so no worries there. They form these “bachelor parties” to spend the night, but for what reason is anybody’s guess.
Eric Eaton

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