Mud-dauber
Guides
Acroricnus
Acroricnus is a genus of ichneumonid wasps that parasitize mud-dauber wasps (family Sphecidae). At least one species, A. seductor, has been studied for its host detection behavior and acts as a kleptoparasitoid, consuming spider prey and young host larvae in mud-dauber nests. The genus includes eight described species distributed across multiple continents.
Chalybion
blue mud dauber wasps, blue mud-daubers, blue nest-renting wasps
Chalybion is a genus of solitary wasps in the family Sphecidae, commonly known as blue mud dauber or blue nest-renting wasps. The genus comprises approximately 49 described species distributed across North America, Africa, Asia, and Australia. These wasps are characterized by metallic blue to blue-black coloration and are notable for their unique nesting behavior: rather than constructing their own nests, they primarily utilize pre-existing cavities, particularly abandoned mud nests of other wasps such as Sceliphron species. They provision these nests with paralyzed spiders as food for their larvae. Some species, notably Chalybion californicum, are significant predators of medically important spiders including black widows (Latrodectus species).
Chalybion californicum
Common Blue Mud-dauber Wasp, Blue Mud Dauber
Chalybion californicum is a solitary mud-dauber wasp with metallic blue coloration, widely distributed across North America. Females are renowned as predators of black widow spiders and other web-building spiders, using specialized hunting tactics including web vibration to lure prey. Unlike most mud-daubers, this species does not construct nests from scratch but instead renovates abandoned mud nests, particularly those of Sceliphron caementarium. The species is not aggressive toward humans and has been introduced to several regions outside its native range.
Chalybion zimmermanni
Zimmerman's Mud-dauber Wasp, Zimmermann's Mud Wasp
Chalybion zimmermanni is a solitary thread-waisted wasp in the family Sphecidae. It is one of two Chalybion species found north of Mexico, distinguished from the widespread C. californicum by its more restricted southeastern and southwestern U.S. distribution, white thoracic hairs, and smoky rather than violaceous wing coloration. Like its congener, it is a spider-hunting wasp that repurposes existing mud nests rather than constructing its own.
Chalybion zimmermanni aztecum
Aztec Mud-dauber Wasp
Chalybion zimmermanni aztecum is a subspecies of mud dauber wasp in the family Sphecidae, commonly known as the Aztec Mud-dauber Wasp. It is one of two Chalybion species found north of Mexico, distinguished from the widespread C. californicum by white thoracic hairs and smoky rather than violaceous wing coloration. Like other blue mud daubers, females are solitary nesters that remodel abandoned mud nests rather than constructing new ones from scratch, and hunt spiders including black widows to provision their offspring.
Chalybion zimmermanni zimmermanni
Zimmerman's Mud-dauber Wasp
Chalybion zimmermanni zimmermanni is a subspecies of mud dauber wasp in the family Sphecidae. It is one of two Chalybion species found north of Mexico, distinguished from the widespread C. californicum by its white thoracic hairs and smoky rather than violaceous wing coloration. Like other blue mud daubers, females are solitary nesters that remodel abandoned mud nests rather than constructing their own, and hunt spiders including black widows as prey for their larvae.
Delta higletti rendalli
Delta higletti rendalli is a subspecies of potter wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae. It was described by Bingham in 1902. Like other members of the genus Delta, it is a solitary wasp that constructs mud nests. The species is part of a diverse group of vespid wasps known for their distinctive nest-building behavior using mud or clay.
Dolichodynerus vandykei
Dolichodynerus vandykei is a species of potter wasp in the family Vespidae, described by Bohart in 1950. It belongs to the genus Dolichodynerus, which is characterized by elongated body proportions. The species epithet honors the entomologist Edwin C. Van Dyke, whose name appears in multiple other insect species. As a member of the Eumeninae subfamily, it is a solitary wasp that constructs nest cells from mud.
Monobia
Four-toothed Mason Wasp (for M. quadridens), Carpenter Wasp, Mason Wasp
Monobia is a genus of medium-sized to large potter wasps in the subfamily Eumeninae, distributed primarily across the Neotropical region from the United States to Argentina. The genus is closely related to Montezumia. The most well-documented species, Monobia quadridens (Four-toothed Mason Wasp), is a solitary wasp that provisions nests with paralyzed caterpillars and constructs mud partitions between brood cells.
Podium krombeini
Podium krombeini is a species of thread-waisted wasp in the family Sphecidae, described by Bohart and Menke in 1963. It belongs to the tribe Podiini within the subfamily Sceliphrinae. The genus Podium comprises predatory wasps that construct mud nests. This species is recorded from Middle America and North America, though specific details about its biology remain poorly documented in the accessible literature.
Sceliphron
black-and-yellow mud dauber wasps, black mud-dauber wasps, mud daubers
Sceliphron is a genus of solitary sphecid wasps comprising 34 valid species, commonly known as black-and-yellow mud daubers or black mud-dauber wasps. Females construct nests from mud, building individual cells that they provision with paralyzed spiders as food for their larvae. The genus exhibits remarkable synanthropic behavior, with many species readily nesting on human structures. Several species have become invasive outside their native ranges, including S. caementarium (native to North America, now widespread globally) and S. curvatum (native to Central Asia, spreading through Europe and recently detected in North America).
Sceliphron caementarium
Yellow-legged Mud-dauber Wasp, Black and Yellow Mud Dauber, Black-waisted Mud-dauber
Sceliphron caementarium is a solitary sphecid wasp renowned for constructing nests from mud. Females build multi-celled mud nests in sheltered locations, provision each cell with paralyzed spiders, and deposit a single egg before sealing the chamber. The species exhibits remarkable geographic plasticity, having established populations across multiple continents through human-mediated dispersal. Adults feed on nectar and are generally non-aggressive, with stings being rare.
Sceliphron curvatum
Asian mud-dauber wasp
Sceliphron curvatum is a solitary mud-daubing wasp native to Central Asia that has become invasive in Europe and North America. First recorded in Europe in 1979, it has since expanded across multiple European countries and was first documented in North America in 2013. The species is smaller and darker than the native North American Sceliphron caementarium, with a body length of 15–25 mm and black coloration with yellow and red ornaments. It exhibits strongly synanthropic behavior, frequently nesting indoors on clothing, books, and furniture rather than exclusively on building exteriors.
Zethus montezuma
Zethus montezuma is a species of potter wasp in the family Vespidae, subfamily Eumeninae. It was described by Henri de Saussure in 1857. The genus Zethus comprises primarily neotropical potter wasps, with this species representing part of the group's diversity in the southern Nearctic and northern Neotropical regions. As with other eumenine wasps, it is a solitary wasp that constructs mud nests provisioned with paralyzed prey for its larvae.