Mud-dauber Wasps

Sceliphrini

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Sphecidae
Subfamily: Sceliphrinae
Tribe: Sceliphrini

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Sceliphrini: /sˌkɛlɪˈfrɪnaɪ/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

AIMG 6573 (2) Wespentaille von hinten by Xocolatl. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

AIMG 6571 Viech by Xocolatl. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Chalybion californicum M (16191842502) by maxson.erin. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Sceliphron caementarium by Bruce Marlin. Used under a CC BY-SA 2.5 license.

Sceliphron curvatum 298865756 by ingridaltmann. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Common Blue Mud-dauber Wasp (Chalybion californicum) - Guelph, Ontario 2013-07-04 by Ryan Hodnett. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Summary

Sceliphrini, commonly known as mud dauber wasps, build distinctive mud nests and primarily provision their larvae with paralyzed spiders. They are essential for controlling spider populations and are found in various habitats worldwide. While generally not aggressive, they can become defensive when threatened.

Physical Characteristics

Mud daubers are variable in appearance but are generally long, slender wasps about 1 inch (25 mm) in length. They can be distinguished from potter wasps by their mud-based nests.

Identification Tips

Look for characteristic nests made of mud shaped into cylindrical tubes or cigar-like masses. They are not typically aggressive but may defend their territory when threatened.

Habitat

Mud daubers predominantly inhabit protected locations such as walls, cliffs, bridges, overhangs, barns, and porches where they can build their nests.

Distribution

Worldwide, with about 80 species, including 5 species that can be found in our area.

Diet

Larvae are provisioned with paralyzed spiders, while adult wasps primarily feed on nectar and occasionally the hemolymph of spiders.

Life Cycle

The young mud daubers survive the winter inside the nest. Females build nests, capture spiders, paralyze them, and seal them with eggs in the nest cells, which provides food for the developing larvae.

Reproduction

Females build nests that contain several cells, each housing a single egg laid on a spider. Those nests are sealed with mud and may contain multiple cells clumped together.

Predators

Various parasitic wasps, including chalcidoid wasps and larger chrysidid wasps, prey on mud dauber nests, stealing provisions and the wasps' larvae.

Ecosystem Role

Mud daubers play an important role in controlling spider populations by preying on them for food to provision their nests. They also contribute to pollination as adults feed on nectar.

Economic Impact

Mud daubers can cause issues in aviation due to their nesting behaviors, leading to potential safety hazards with blocked pitot tubes.

Cultural Significance

Their nests have been associated with aviation incidents due to their impact on aircraft performance, leading to awareness of their ecological role and behaviors.

Health Concerns

Stings from mud daubers are uncommon and they are generally not aggressive; thus, health concerns related to them are minimal.

Collecting Methods

Hand capturing during foraging activities
Collecting nests for observation
Use of aspirators in nesting areas

Preservation Methods

Drying specimens for taxidermy
Alcohol preservation for detailed study

Similar Taxa

Misconceptions

Mud daubers are often confused with potter wasps which belong to a different family; mud daubers are not typically aggressive and usually do not sting unless provoked.