Blue-black Spider Wasp

Description:

12-20 mm, a few nearctic over 30 mm. Medium-sized black wasps, often with orange abdominal markings. Females typically hunt intently on forest floor, etc., flicking wings. All pompilines have a pocket in the lower rear corner of the third discal cell (the Peterson Guide should have a wing venation diagram). Female Anoplius all have noticeable stiff bristles on the last tergite (pygidium). Identification of males is often difficult.

Habitat:

Much of North America. Diverse in western US, but also found in eastern states. Eastern species can be found in deciduous forests. Can be found from late spring to early autumn. Some species have several generations per year starting from late May. Females of A. tenebrosus overwinter and can be found as early as April in the southern part of its range.