Nesting and mating behaviours, and alternative nesting tactics of the blue nest-renting wasp Chalybion japonicum (Gribodo) (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae)

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The blue nest-renting wasp ( Chalybion japonicum (Gribodo, 1882)) exhibited three nesting tactics, use of existing cavities, nest usurpation, and brood parasitism. The last nesting tactic is reported as new for the genus Chalybion. The first is the well-known type of nesting tactic for the wasp. In this nesting tactic, females of Chalybion japonicum utilized nesting substrates including mud cells, trap nests, and pre-existing holes without modifying them and provisioned them with paralyzed spiders of their own. For the second nesting tactic, Chalybion japonicum usurped building or completely provisioned nest cells of the mud-dauber wasp ( Sceliphron deforme (F. Smith, 1856)), provisioned them with its spiders, or removed the host’s spiders and stored its own spiders. In the last nesting tactic, Chalybion japonicum penetrated into completely provisioned or provisioning nest cells of the mud-dauber wasp ( Sceliphron madraspatanum (Fabricius, 1781)), removed the host’s egg, used the host’s prey intact, and laid its egg. Courtship of Chalybion japonicum took place in the morning over the top of the mock lemon ( Aglaia odor ata (D.)). Up to 12 males followed a female in flight and copulation took place at nesting sites when a larger male caught up the female.