CLOSED: CLOSED: CLOSED: insect identity needed

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Myrtlejane Charlottesville, VA Oct 23, 2008

Can someone help me identify this insect? The plant it is on is mountain mint. Thank you very much for your help.

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pford1854 Somerset, KY(Zone 6b) Oct 24, 2008

It's hard to identify exactly, but it's definitely a wasp.
It's hard to judge what size the wasp really is.

If it's a rather larger wasp, then it could be something like:

Great Black Wasp (Sphex pensylvanicus)
http://bugguide.net/node/view/207736
http://davesgarden.com/guides/bf/go/2383/

Or Blue Mud Wasp (Chalybion californicum)
http://bugguide.net/node/view/9715
http://davesgarden.com/guides/bf/go/1470/

Post #5711189
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kniphofia Cramlington, United Kingdom(Zone 8a) Oct 24, 2008

I remember seeing these often in my Maine garden, very recognisable by their very blue wings. Will be interested in an ID.

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Myrtlejane Charlottesville, VA Oct 25, 2008

Thanks for your response. I hadn't thought of this insect as a wasp - didn't get close enough to see if it would sting! It was bout 1 1/2 inch long and very slender. There were some 50 or more clamoring over the mountain mint. They weren't flying about but I guess they have to fly in order to get around. The blue part seemed to be its abdomen - not wings. Unfortunately we will have to wait until next summer for another opportunity to study further.

Thanks again!

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kniphofia Cramlington, United Kingdom(Zone 8a) Oct 25, 2008

I found a photo on one of my discs from Maine, it's definitely Sphex penslyvanicus. You can see the wings are the blue part, abdomen underneath.

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Post #5714092
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pford1854 Somerset, KY(Zone 6b) Oct 25, 2008

Yes, that's a monster there. ;) big one.

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Myrtlejane Charlottesville, VA Oct 26, 2008

Kniphofia - thanks for your wonderful picture of the Sphex penslylanvanicus. I will just call him Sphex for short! I planted Kniphofia in the garden this year - a new plant for us. I call it a Red Hot Polka!

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kniphofia Cramlington, United Kingdom(Zone 8a) Oct 27, 2008

Glad I could help with the ID. I know when I saw mine I was intrigued and wanted to know what it was.

Yes I do love kniphofias :)

Sue

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