Mason-wasps
Guides
Euodynerus
potter wasps, mason wasps
Euodynerus is a genus of solitary potter wasps in the subfamily Eumeninae, characterized by diverse nesting behaviors including the use of pre-existing cavities, mud construction, and in some species, burrow excavation with distinctive mud chimneys. The genus has a primarily Holarctic distribution with extensions into tropical regions. Females provision nests with paralyzed caterpillars as food for their larvae. Several species are widespread across North America and have been documented using artificial nest blocks.
Maricopodynerus
Maricopodynerus is a Nearctic genus of potter wasps (family Eumenidae) distributed in western North America. The genus is distinguished by a pronounced morphological feature: the second metasomal segment has a tergum that is substantially larger than its sternum. Species within this genus occur west of the 100° western meridian in the United States and Mexico. The genus was reviewed taxonomically by Bohart in 1989.
Odynerus
potter wasps, mason wasps
Odynerus is a primarily Holarctic genus of potter wasps in the subfamily Eumeninae. The genus has been widely used as a root for constructing names of other potter wasp genera with non-petiolated metasoma, including Euodynerus, Acarodynerus, Stenodynerus, Parodontodynerus, and Incodynerus. Species within this genus are solitary wasps that construct nests using mud or soil, often with distinctive turrets or chimneys. The genus contains hundreds of species, with Odynerus spinipes being particularly notable for exhibiting exceptional intrasexual cuticular hydrocarbon dimorphism in females.
Pachodynerus
potter wasps
Pachodynerus is a genus of approximately 50 species of solitary potter wasps in the subfamily Eumeninae. The genus exhibits highest diversity in central South America, with species distributed across the Neotropical and Nearctic regions. These wasps are cavity-nesters that construct mud cells in pre-existing holes, including abandoned insect burrows, plant stems, and human-made structures. Several species have been introduced beyond their native ranges, including P. nasidens which has established populations on oceanic islands and caused aviation safety incidents in Australia by nesting in aircraft pitot probes.
Temnostoma
Falsehorn Flies
Temnostoma is a genus of hoverflies (Syrphidae) renowned for their sophisticated Batesian mimicry of wasps. Adults possess overall morphological resemblance to hymenopterans, including darkened wing margins that mimic the folded wings of vespid wasps at rest. A distinctive behavioral adaptation involves waving the forelegs in front of the head to simulate wasp antennae. The genus comprises approximately 25 described species distributed across the Holarctic region, with larvae that are saproxylic—developing in wet, decaying wood where they feed on microorganisms.
Zethus
mason wasps, potter wasps
Zethus is the largest genus in the subfamily Eumeninae (potter and mason wasps), containing over 250 species. The genus is predominantly Neotropical in distribution, with three recognized subgenera: Zethus (Zethus), Zethus (Zethusculus), and Zethus (Zethoides). Species are solitary and construct nests using diverse materials including mud, sand, vegetable matter, and insect parts. Many species are poorly known, with numerous taxa described from only one sex.