Potter and Mason Wasps
Eumeninae
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Hymenoptera
- Superfamily: Vespoidea
- Family: Vespidae
- Subfamily: Eumeninae
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Eumeninae: /juːˈmɛnɪniː/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Images
Summary
Eumeninae, or potter and mason wasps, are a highly diverse group of wasps known for their unique nesting behaviors and ecological roles as predators of other insects. They are found in various habitats globally and have distinct physical features that aid in identification.
Physical Characteristics
Most eumenine species are black or brown, marked with contrasting patterns of yellow, white, orange, or red. Some tropical species display blue or green metallic highlights. They are recognized by the presence of a parategula, cleft tarsal claws, longitudinal dorsal carina on hind coxae, and three submarginal cells in the forewings.
Identification Tips
Look for the distinctive shape of the abdomen and coloration patterns, as well as the specific morphological traits unique to Eumeninae such as parategula and cleft claws.
Habitat
Found in all habitats from northern boreal forests to deserts, utilizing existing cavities or constructing nests in various locations.
Distribution
Worldwide distribution, with a presence in diverse ecosystems.
Diet
Eumenines prey primarily on moth larvae, though some take larvae of leaf-feeding beetles. Adults feed on nectar.
Life Cycle
Life cycle can last from a few weeks to over a year from egg to adult emergence. Larvae feed on paralyzed prey before pupating.
Reproduction
Generally solitary mass provisioners; the adult lays a single egg in a brood cell filled with paralyzed prey for the larva.
Predators
Predators include various birds and other insect species.
Ecosystem Role
Eumenine wasps are important as predators of pest caterpillars, contributing to ecological balance.
Cultural Significance
The name 'potter wasp' stems from the shape of their mud nests, which are believed to have inspired Native American pottery designs.
Collecting Methods
- Traps
- Visual collection methods
- Netting near food sources (flowers)
Preservation Methods
- Pinning
- Ethanol storage
- Drying specimens
Evolution
Eumeninae represents the most diverse subfamily of the Vespidae and was previously treated as a separate family, Eumenidae.
Similar Taxa
- Vespidae
- Zethinae
- Sphecidae
- Crabronidae
Misconceptions
Mud dauber wasps, which also use mud for nest construction, belong to different families (Sphecidae and Crabronidae) and are often confused with potter wasps.
Tags
- wasps
- Eumeninae
- Potter wasps
- insects
- Hymenoptera
- predators