Mud-nest
Guides
Ancistrocerus
mason wasps, potter wasps
Ancistrocerus is a genus of solitary mason wasps in the subfamily Eumeninae. Females construct nests using mud, either in pre-existing cavities or as free-form mud cells attached to hard surfaces. They provision nests with paralyzed caterpillars as food for their larvae. Males are distinguished by hooked antennae tips. The genus has a nearly worldwide distribution, with notable species in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Ancistrocerus albophaleratus
White-banded Potter Wasp
Ancistrocerus albophaleratus is a solitary mason wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae, commonly known as the White-banded Potter Wasp. Like other Ancistrocerus species, it is a cavity-nesting wasp that constructs nests using mud in pre-existing hollows. The species is part of a genus characterized by distinctive morphological traits including a transverse carina on the first abdominal segment. It is native to North America with confirmed records in the northeastern United States.
Ancistrocerus bustamente
Ancistrocerus bustamente is a solitary mason wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae. Like other members of its genus, it constructs nests using mud and provisions them with paralyzed caterpillars for its larvae. The species was described by de Saussure in 1857.
Ancistrocerus capra
Ancistrocerus capra is a solitary mason wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae. Like other Ancistrocerus species, females construct nests using mud, either in pre-existing cavities or as free-form structures attached to hard surfaces. They provision nests with paralyzed caterpillars as food for their developing larvae. The species exhibits the characteristic hooked antennae in males typical of many eumenine wasps.
Ancistrocerus gazella
European potter wasp, European tube wasp
Ancistrocerus gazella is a solitary potter wasp native to Europe, known for constructing mud nests in pre-existing cavities. Females provision single-celled nests with paralyzed caterpillars as food for their larvae, sealing nests with mud. Adults feed on nectar and aphid honeydew. The species has been introduced to New Zealand, where it is now established. Males cannot sting, and female stings are not painful to humans.
Ancistrocerus spilogaster
Ancistrocerus spilogaster is a solitary mason wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae, described by Cameron in 1905. As with other members of the genus Ancistrocerus, it exhibits the diagnostic transverse carina on the first abdominal tergum. The species is part of a diverse genus of potter and mason wasps that construct nests using mud and provision cells with paralyzed caterpillars for their developing larvae. Specific biological details for A. spilogaster remain poorly documented in published sources.
Ancistrocerus undescribed-b
Ancistrocerus undescribed-b is a solitary mason wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae. As a member of the genus Ancistrocerus, it possesses the diagnostic transverse carina on the first abdominal segment. The species constructs free-form mud nests attached to hard surfaces, provisioning cells with paralyzed moth caterpillars for larval development.
Auplopus
spider wasps
Auplopus is a large genus of small spider wasps in the family Pompilidae, distributed worldwide except Antarctica. Females construct distinctive barrel-shaped mud nests, often inside pre-existing cavities such as abandoned nests of other wasps, hollows in wood, or rock crevices. They hunt spiders, paralyze them with venom, and amputate the legs before transporting the prey to their nests. The wasps provision each mud cell with one or more paralyzed spiders, lay a single egg on the final victim, and seal the cell. Auplopus species are solitary and non-aggressive, with most activity occurring from May to October.
Auplopus architectus architectus
Auplopus architectus architectus is a small spider-hunting wasp in the family Pompilidae. Females construct distinctive barrel-shaped mud cells to house their offspring, provisioning each cell with paralyzed spiders as food. The species is part of a genus known for unique nest-building behavior among pompilid wasps, which typically dig burrows rather than construct free-standing mud structures.
Auplopus architectus metallicus
Auplopus architectus metallicus is a subspecies of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, tribe Auplopini. Like other Auplopus, females construct small, free-standing mud cells to house paralyzed spider prey and developing larvae. The subspecies was described by Banks in 1910. Members of this genus are small wasps, typically around 10 millimeters in length, with several species exhibiting bright metallic blue-green coloration.
Auplopus caerulescens
Blue Mud-dauber Spider Wasp
Auplopus caerulescens is a small spider-hunting wasp in the family Pompilidae, tribe Auplopini. Females construct distinctive barrel-shaped mud cells, typically 15 mm long and 7-10 mm wide, often placed inside pre-existing cavities such as hollows in wood, rock crevices, or abandoned nests of other wasps. The species is known for its bright metallic blue-green coloration, with females bearing a diagnostic pygidial plate used to manipulate mud during nest construction. It is widely distributed across North America.
Auplopus carbonarius
potter spider wasp, yellow-faced spider wasp
Auplopus carbonarius is a small spider wasp native to Europe that has been introduced to North America. Females construct distinctive barrel-shaped mud cells inside pre-existing cavities, stocking each with a paralyzed spider as food for their larva. The species is notable for its complex nesting behavior among Pompilidae, including leg amputation of prey to facilitate transport. Adults are approximately 10 mm in length, with males distinguished by ivory-colored maculae beside the eyes.
Auplopus mellipes
Red-legged Spider Wasp
Auplopus mellipes is a small spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, tribe Auplopini. Females construct distinctive barrel-shaped mud cells to house their paralyzed spider prey and developing larvae. The species has a widespread distribution across North America and is most active during summer months. Unlike many spider wasps that dig burrows, Auplopus species are unique among Pompilidae for their free-standing mud nest construction.
Auplopus mellipes mellipes
Auplopus mellipes mellipes is a small spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, tribe Auplopini. Females construct distinctive barrel-shaped mud cells to house their offspring, provisioning each cell with paralyzed spiders. The species belongs to a genus noted for opportunistic hunting of non-web-building spiders and for frequently utilizing pre-existing cavities or abandoned nests of other wasps as nest sites. Adults feed on honeydew from aphid colonies rather than visiting flowers.
Auplopus mellipes variitarsus
Auplopus mellipes variitarsus is a subspecies of small spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, tribe Auplopini. Females construct distinctive free-standing mud cells, typically barrel-shaped and approximately 15 millimeters long, to house paralyzed spider prey and a single offspring. The species exhibits bright metallic blue-green coloration, with females bearing a diagnostic pygidial plate on the abdomen used as a masonry trowel during nest construction. Like other Auplopus, this subspecies is solitary and non-aggressive, feeding on aphid honeydew as adults while provisioning nests with spiders from diverse families.
Auplopus mollis
Auplopus mollis is a small spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, tribe Auplopini. Females construct distinctive free-standing mud cells, typically barrel-shaped and approximately 15 mm long by 7–10 mm wide, often stacked end-to-end in rows of two to five. The species hunts non-web-building spiders, amputates their legs to facilitate transport, and provisions each mud cell with multiple paralyzed spiders before laying a single egg. Adults feed on aphid honeydew rather than visiting flowers.
Auplopus nigrellus
Auplopus nigrellus is a small spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, tribe Auplopini. Like other members of its genus, it constructs distinctive barrel-shaped mud cells to house its offspring. The species was described by Banks in 1911, though specific details about its biology are limited compared to better-studied congeners such as A. carbonarius and A. mellipes.
Cephalodynerus
Cephalodynerus is a small genus of potter wasps in the subfamily Eumeninae, containing six species. The genus is restricted to the Nearctic region. Species in this genus construct characteristic mud nests with pot-shaped cells. The genus was established by Parker in 1965.
Chelostoma
Scissor Bees
Chelostoma is a genus of solitary bees in the tribe Osmiini (family Megachilidae), comprising approximately 56-60 described species across five subgenera. These bees are predominantly Palaearctic in distribution and are notable for their high degree of pollen specialization: most species are strict oligoleges, collecting pollen from flowers of a single plant genus, subfamily, or family. Common host plant associations include Campanula (bellflowers), Ornithogalum, Ranunculus, Asteraceae, and Brassicaceae. Nesting occurs in preexisting cavities in dead wood or hollow plant stems, with females constructing brood cell partitions and nest plugs using mud often reinforced with pebbles and sand grains.
Delta esuriens
Okinawa Mud Wasp
Delta esuriens is a potter wasp species distributed across tropical Asia. Females construct mud nests with pot-shaped entrance holes, provisioning cells with lepidopteran caterpillars as food for developing larvae. The species is distinguished from the similar Delta pyriforme by a yellow band on the metasomal petiole. Development from egg to adult emergence spans approximately one month, with males emerging earlier than females due to shorter development times.
Dolichodynerus
Dolichodynerus is a Nearctic genus of potter wasps (subfamily Eumeninae) established by Bohart in 1939. The genus contains three recognized species: D. tanynotus, D. turgiceps, and D. vandykei. These solitary wasps construct mud nests and provision them with paralyzed caterpillars for their larvae.
Eumenes americanus
American Potter Wasp
Eumenes americanus is a solitary potter wasp in the family Vespidae, known for constructing distinctive urn-shaped mud nests. Females build complete mud containers about the size of a marble, often with a fluted neck, before provisioning them with paralyzed caterpillars as food for a single larva. The species is non-aggressive and poses minimal sting risk to humans.
Eumenes bollii
Boll's Potter Wasp
Eumenes bollii, commonly known as Boll's Potter Wasp, is a solitary potter wasp in the family Vespidae. The species is named for its distinctive nest construction: females craft small, urn-shaped mud cells resembling miniature pottery. These nests are provisioned with paralyzed caterpillars that serve as food for the developing larva. The wasp is part of the diverse Eumeninae subfamily, which includes many species with similar mud-nesting behaviors.
Eumenes consobrinus
Eumenes consobrinus is a species of potter wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae. The genus Eumenes is known for females that construct distinctive free-form mud nests resembling small urns or pots with fluted necks, approximately the size of a marble. Each nest contains a single cell provisioned with paralyzed caterpillars as food for the developing larva. The species was first described by de Saussure in 1856.
Eumenes mediterraneus
Mediterranean Potter Wasp
A solitary potter wasp species in the subfamily Eumeninae, recognized by its distinctive mud nest construction. Females build small urn-shaped nests attached to hard surfaces, provisioning them with paralyzed caterpillars before laying a single egg. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in antennae structure, with males possessing curled antennal tips. Two subspecies are recognized: E. m. mediterraneus and E. m. cypricus.
Eumenes smithii
Smith's Potter Wasp
Eumenes smithii is a species of potter wasp in the family Vespidae, known for constructing distinctive mud nests resembling small urns or pots. The species was described by de Saussure in 1852 and is one of numerous Eumenes species distributed across North America. Like other potter wasps, females are solitary and provision their nests with paralyzed caterpillars as food for their larvae. The common name 'Smith's Potter Wasp' reflects both its nest-building behavior and its specific epithet.
Eumenes verticalis
Vertical potter wasp
Eumenes verticalis is a solitary potter wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae, known for constructing distinctive urn-shaped mud nests. Females build marble-sized clay vessels with fluted necks, provision them with paralyzed caterpillars, and lay a single egg inside before sealing the nest with a mud plug. The larva develops within, feeding on the fresh prey, then pupates and emerges by chewing an exit hole in the side of the pot. Like other solitary wasps, it poses minimal sting risk to humans.
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Pachodynerus guadulpensis is a solitary mason wasp native to the Americas, ranging from Mexico through Central America into the southern United States (Arizona, California, Texas). This species belongs to the potter and mason wasp subfamily Eumeninae. Females construct linear nests of cylindrical mud cells in pre-existing cavities, primarily provisioning them with paralyzed caterpillars as food for their larvae. The species exhibits distinctive abdominal coloration with an extra yellow stripe across the front of the abdomen that separates it from its congener P. nasidens.
Pachodynerus nasidens
Keyhole Wasp
Pachodynerus nasidens, commonly known as the keyhole wasp, is a solitary mason wasp in the family Vespidae, subfamily Eumeninae. Native to the Neotropics, it has been introduced to Hawaii, Micronesia, Australia, and the northern United States. The species exhibits remarkable nesting plasticity, utilizing abandoned insect galleries, human-made cavities, and even aircraft pitot tubes. Females provision nests with paralyzed caterpillars as food for their larvae. The species has gained notoriety for causing aviation safety incidents by blocking pitot probes with mud nests, leading to unreliable airspeed readings.
Phanagenia
Phanagenia is a genus of spider wasps in the tribe Ageniellini, family Pompilidae. The genus contains only one species in North America, Phanagenia bombycina. These wasps are solitary hunters that construct mud nests to house their offspring, provisioning them with paralyzed spiders.
Phanagenia bombycina
Phanagenia bombycina is a solitary spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, tribe Auplopini. It constructs delicate mud barrel nests to house paralyzed spider prey and developing larvae. The species is found east of the Rocky Mountains and is slightly larger than related Auplopus species. Uniquely, it frequently builds its mud cells inside the abandoned nests of the pipe organ mud dauber (Trypoxylon politum).
Pison
Pison is a cosmopolitan genus of spider wasps in the family Crabronidae, comprising approximately 145 described species with many more undescribed, particularly in South America. Adult females hunt and paralyze living spiders to provision nest cells, on which they lay eggs. The genus exhibits diverse nesting strategies, including mud construction, use of natural cavities, and excavation of burrows. Pison wasps are most diverse in the Southern Hemisphere, with about one-third of species occurring in Australia.
Pseudomasaris maculifrons
pollen wasp
Pseudomasaris maculifrons is a solitary pollen wasp in the family Vespidae, subfamily Masarinae. Unlike predatory social wasps, females construct mud nests provisioned with pollen and nectar rather than insect prey. Males exhibit distinctive hilltopping behavior, perching repeatedly in the same locations on isolated peaks to await females. The species occurs in western North America and is active primarily in spring.
Pseudomasaris micheneri
Pseudomasaris micheneri is a pollen wasp in the subfamily Masarinae, described by Bohart in 1963. Like other members of its genus, it is a solitary wasp that constructs mud nests and provisions cells with pollen and nectar rather than paralyzed prey. The species belongs to a group of wasps that exhibit oligolectic pollination relationships, primarily visiting flowers in the genera Penstemon, Phacelia, and Eriodictyon. Males are known to exhibit hilltopping behavior, perching at elevated sites to await females.
Tetramesa
Tetramesa is a genus of minute phytophagous wasps in the family Eurytomidae comprising over 200 described species. Members are exclusively associated with grasses (Poaceae), where they typically induce stem or inflorescence galls. The genus exhibits pronounced host specificity, with most species restricted to a single grass species or closely related congeners. Several species have been deployed as biological control agents against invasive grasses, including T. romana for giant reed (Arundo donax) and candidate agents for medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae) and African lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula). Adults feed on nectar. Recent phylogenomic studies have synonymized the genera Aiolomorphus and Cathilaria within Tetramesa.
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keyhole wasps, pipe organ mud daubers
Trypoxylon is a large genus of solitary wasps in the family Crabronidae, comprising approximately 634 species worldwide. The genus is notable for being the most speciose within its family. All studied species are active hunters of spiders, which they paralyze with venom to provision nests for their larvae. Nesting strategies vary: most species utilize pre-existing cavities such as hollow stems, beetle borings, or abandoned nests, while a minority construct free-standing mud nests. The genus is divided into two subgenera: Trypoxylon (smaller species) and Trypargilum (medium to large species).
Trypoxylon politum
Pipe Organ Mud Dauber, Organ-pipe Mud-dauber Wasp
Trypoxylon politum is a large, solitary spider-hunting wasp and the only North American member of its genus that constructs free-standing mud nests rather than using pre-existing cavities. Its distinctive nest consists of multiple parallel tubular mud columns resembling organ pipes, with each tube internally partitioned into several cells provisioned with paralyzed spiders. The species exhibits cooperative behavior between sexes: males defend nests against parasites and rival males while females hunt and construct. Native to eastern North America, it has shown recent range expansion westward into Colorado and coexists with other mud dauber species.
Zeta
potter wasps
Zeta is a small neotropical genus of potter wasps in the subfamily Eumeninae, family Vespidae. The genus currently contains four species, with most having restricted geographic distributions. Three species are limited to specific regions: Zeta confusum is endemic to Cuba, Zeta abdominale occurs on several Caribbean islands, and Zeta mendozanum is restricted to the Monte and Patagonia regions of Argentina. Zeta argillaceum is the exception, being widespread and common across much of the neotropics.