CLOSED: Where do I start?

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KaperC No. San Diego Co., CA(Zone 10b) May 27, 2007

Did not have camera today when I saw this bug and I don't know where to start to ID it.
At first I thought it was some sort of wasp, but it did not fly or hop, nor did it spread what looked like wings on its back. It ran very quickly all around the area where I was, sometimes poking its head in a hole, but never stopping. Very odd. It didn't appear to be eating anything, but what do I know? :-)

Approx. 1-1/4 in long overall, copper-orange wings(?), turquoise rear body. Metallic looking.

Any hints on where to start would be appreciated.

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claypa West Pottsgrove, PA(Zone 6b) May 27, 2007

Well, it's a long shot, but take a look at these:

http://bugguide.net/node/view/3920

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KaperC No. San Diego Co., CA(Zone 10b) May 27, 2007

claypa, I think you're right - it's a type of tarantula hawk - I just found those on bugguide.net myself. Thanks.
Sure was a pretty thing, but sounds like something we need to avoid! We've never seen a tarantula here, but I understand they are harmless unless threatened. The wasp was certainly hunting for something in the ground.

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