Potter-wasp
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 adiabatus
Bramble Mason Wasp
Ancistrocerus adiabatus is a small potter wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae, commonly known as the Bramble Mason Wasp. Adults reach approximately 11 mm in length. This species is notable as the first documented case of large-scale migration in eumenine wasps, with 44,000–68,000 individuals observed moving through a migration corridor in southwestern Ontario in less than an hour. It is multivoltine, producing multiple generations per year.
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 campestris
Walden's Mason Wasp
Ancistrocerus campestris is a solitary mason wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae. Adults reach approximately 10 mm in length. Females construct nests in pre-existing cavities such as beetle borings in wood, hollow twigs, or abandoned mud dauber nests, partitioning them with mud into individual cells. The species is distinguished by distinctive yellow markings on the abdomen and a characteristic pattern on the rear of the thorax. It preys specifically on caterpillars of the moth families Amphisbatidae and Gelechiidae.
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 lineativentris
Ancistrocerus lineativentris is a solitary mason wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae, family Vespidae. It is one of approximately 70 species in the genus Ancistrocerus, which occurs primarily in the Holarctic region. Like other eumenine wasps, it is a solitary nester that provisions its offspring with paralyzed caterpillars. The species was described by Cameron in 1906, but detailed natural history information specific to this species remains limited in published sources.
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.
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.
Cephalodynerus deformiceps
Cephalodynerus deformiceps is a species of potter wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae, first described by Bohart in 1942. It belongs to a genus characterized by distinctive head morphology. The species is known from very few records, with limited published information on its biology.
Cephalodynerus russipes
Cephalodynerus russipes is a species of potter wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae, first described by Bohart in 1942. The genus Cephalodynerus is characterized by distinctive head morphology with expanded genae (cheek regions), though species-specific traits for C. russipes remain poorly documented. This species belongs to a group of solitary wasps that construct mud nests provisioned with paralyzed caterpillars.
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.
Delta higletti
Delta higletti is a species of potter wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae, first described by Meade-Waldo in 1910. The genus Delta comprises solitary wasps known for constructing mud nests with characteristic pot-shaped cells. Records for this species remain limited, with 39 observations documented on iNaturalist suggesting it is infrequently encountered or understudied. As with other eumenine wasps, females provision nest cells with paralyzed prey, primarily caterpillars, to feed developing 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
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.
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.
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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Euodynerus guerrero is a mason wasp species in the subfamily Eumeninae, first described by de Saussure in 1857. The specific epithet refers to the Mexican state of Guerrero, where the species was likely first collected. Like other members of the genus, it is a solitary wasp that provisions nests with paralyzed caterpillars for its larval offspring. The species is part of a diverse genus of potter and mason wasps distributed across the Americas.
Euodynerus hidalgo
Hidalgo Mason Wasp
Euodynerus hidalgo is a widespread mason wasp (subfamily Eumeninae) found across North America from the Atlantic to Pacific coasts. The species is divided into three subspecies with variable coloration, ranging from predominantly black with yellow markings to forms with reduced red markings. Females nest in pre-existing cavities including abandoned mud dauber nests, solitary bee burrows, and even mortar crevices in buildings. Like other mason wasps, they provision nests with paralyzed caterpillars as food for their larvae.
Euodynerus schwarzi
Euodynerus schwarzi is a Nearctic species of potter wasp in the family Vespidae, first described by Krombein in 1962. As a member of the mason wasp genus Euodynerus, it likely exhibits the typical solitary nesting behavior characteristic of Eumeninae, though specific life history details remain poorly documented. The species is distinguished from congeners by subtle morphological features and geographic distribution patterns.
Euparagia scutellaris
Euparagia scutellaris is a species of potter wasp in the family Vespidae, subfamily Masarinae. It is native to the western United States. The species was described by Cresson in 1879 and is currently treated as a synonym of Euparagia maculiceps by some authorities, though both names remain in use. Larvae are known to feed on weevil larvae.
Gastrodynerus vanduzeei
Gastrodynerus vanduzeei is a species of potter wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae, described by Bohart in 1948. The genus Gastrodynerus is a small group within the Vespidae, and this species is among the least documented members of the family. Very few observations or collections have been recorded, with iNaturalist showing only four observations total. The specific epithet honors the entomologist Edward P. Van Duzee.
Leptochiloides
Leptochiloides is a genus of potter wasps restricted to arid regions of southwestern North America. The genus was established by Bohart in 1940 and is characterized by structural features including pilose (hairy) labial palpi. It shows morphological affinities with the genus Pterocheilus.
Leptochilus acolhuus
Leptochilus acolhuus is a species of stinging wasp in the family Vespidae, subfamily Eumeninae. It was first described by de Saussure in 1857. The genus Leptochilus comprises potter wasps, solitary wasps known for constructing small mud nests. Published records for this species are limited.
Leptochilus republicanus
Leptochilus republicanus is a species of potter wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae. The name was published by Dalla Torre in 1853. Current taxonomic sources treat this as a synonym of Cyrtolabulus mutinensis. The species has been documented in 67 iNaturalist observations, suggesting it is an infrequently recorded but recognized taxon among naturalists. As a member of Eumeninae, it belongs to a group of solitary wasps known for constructing mud nests.
Leptochilus rufinodus
Leptochilus rufinodus is a species of potter wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae. The species was described by Cresson in 1868. As a member of Leptochilus, it belongs to a genus characterized by small, slender mason wasps that construct mud nests. Very few observations of this species exist in public databases, indicating it may be genuinely rare, geographically restricted, or underreported.
Maricopodynerus maricoporum
Maricopodynerus maricoporum is a species of potter wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae, first described by Viereck in 1908. The genus Maricopodynerus is a small group of solitary wasps endemic to arid regions of southwestern North America. As with other eumenine wasps, females construct mud nests provisioned with paralyzed caterpillars for their larvae. The species epithet 'maricoporum' refers to the Maricopa people or region in Arizona, indicating the type locality.
Maricopodynerus optimus
Maricopodynerus optimus is a species of potter wasp (subfamily Eumeninae) described by Bohart in 1988. The genus Maricopodynerus is part of the vespid wasp family and comprises species that construct mud nests. Like other eumenine wasps, this species is solitary and provisions its nests with paralyzed prey for larval development.
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.
Monobia quadridens
Four-toothed Mason Wasp, Carpenter Wasp
Monobia quadridens is a solitary potter wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae, native to eastern North America. Adults are striking black-and-white insects with a distinctive broad ivory band across the first abdominal tergite. The species is bivoltine, producing two generations annually, with one generation overwintering as pupae. Females construct multi-celled nests in pre-existing cavities, provisioning each cell with paralyzed caterpillars for their larvae.
Odynerus dilectus
A potter wasp species in the subfamily Eumeninae, recorded from the United States and Alberta, Canada. Females construct distinctive turrets at nest entrances and provision nests with prey, primarily alfalfa weevil larvae in agricultural contexts, though small caterpillars have also been documented as prey. The species has been investigated as a potential biological control agent for alfalfa weevil (Hypera postica) in integrated pest management programs.
Pachodynerus guadulpensis
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.
Pachodynerus pulverulentus
Keyhole wasp
Pachodynerus pulverulentus is a solitary mason wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae, commonly known as a keyhole wasp. It belongs to a genus of wasps that utilize pre-existing cavities in wood—such as abandoned beetle galleries, old nail holes, or hollow twigs—as nesting sites. Like other Pachodynerus species, females provision these cavities with paralyzed caterpillars as food for their developing larvae. The species was described by Viereck in 1908 and is part of a group of wasps known for their opportunistic nesting behavior and importance as biological control agents of caterpillar pests.
Parancistrocerus
potter wasps, mason wasps
Parancistrocerus is a large genus of solitary potter wasps in the subfamily Eumeninae, distributed across the Nearctic, eastern Palearctic, Oriental, and Neotropical regions. The genus is distinguished by a unique morphological feature: a smooth depression at the base of the second metasomal tergum that functions as an acarinarium, providing shelter for symbiotic deutonymphs of mites in the family Winterschmidtiidae. Species are often difficult to distinguish from the related genus Stenodynerus, sharing medial pits on the anterior pronotum and expanded tegulae. Most species possess a transverse carina on the first metasomal tergum, and many Neotropical species exhibit a faint submetallic body luster.
Parancistrocerus declivatus
potter wasp
Parancistrocerus declivatus is a potter wasp in the family Vespidae, native to the southern coastal regions of California and Baja California. Originally described in the genus Stenodynerus, it was later transferred to Parancistrocerus. The type locality is La Laguna in the Sierra Laguna mountains of Baja California. Like other members of the subfamily Eumeninae, it is a solitary wasp that constructs nests from mud or other materials.
Parancistrocerus fulvipes
potter wasp
Parancistrocerus fulvipes is a solitary mason wasp in the family Vespidae, commonly known as the potter wasp. The species is recognized for its flexible nesting behavior, utilizing pre-existing cavities rather than constructing free-standing mud pots. It provisions nests with paralyzed caterpillars as food for its larvae. Two subspecies are recognized: P. f. fulvipes and P. f. rufovestis.
Parancistrocerus leionotus
potter wasp, mason wasp
Parancistrocerus leionotus is a species of potter wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae. Unlike most related species in its genus, it has been documented using small cavities in rocks or concrete as nest sites rather than the more typical hollow twigs or plant stems. The species was described by Viereck in 1906 and is recognized as a valid taxon in major biological databases.
Parazumia
Parazumia is a genus of potter wasps (subfamily Eumeninae) distributed across the Neotropical and Nearctic regions. Species are medium to large in size compared to other eumenine wasps. Nearctic species were historically classified under the separate genus Paranortonia for much of the 20th century before taxonomic revision. The genus was established by Saussure in 1855 and has undergone significant taxonomic revision, most notably by Carpenter & Garcete-Barrett in 2005.
Pseudepipona
A genus of potter wasps (subfamily Eumeninae) distributed across the Palearctic, Nearctic, Afrotropical, and Australian regions. Species are organized into species-groups based on morphological traits, particularly the presence or absence of long setae on the gena, scutum, and propleuron. The genus has undergone recent taxonomic revision, with multiple new species and subspecies elevated or described.
Pseudepipona herrichii aldrichi
Pseudepipona herrichii aldrichi is a subspecies of potter wasp in the family Vespidae, subfamily Eumeninae. It was originally described by Fox in 1892 and has undergone taxonomic revision; the name P. herrichii mongolica Giordani Soika, 1970 was synonymized with this taxon. The subspecies belongs to the P. herrichii-group, characterized by specific morphological features of the propodeum and male mandible.
Pseudodynerus
mason wasps, potter wasps
Pseudodynerus is a small Neotropical genus of potter wasps (Eumeninae) currently containing 16 recognized species. These solitary mason wasps are characterized by their striking black and white coloration and their habit of nesting in pre-existing cavities in wood. Females provision their nests with paralyzed caterpillars as food for their developing larvae. The genus extends northward into the eastern United States, where at least one species, P. quadrisectus, is well-documented.
Pterocheilus
Pterocheilus is a genus of fossorial mason wasps in the family Vespidae, subfamily Eumeninae. Unlike most potter wasps that nest in pre-existing cavities or construct free-standing mud nests, species in this genus excavate burrows in soil or sand. The genus exhibits its greatest diversity in southwestern North America, with approximately 40 species recognized in the region. Females possess specialized morphological adaptations for digging, including tarsal rakes on the forelegs and a psammophore—long setae on the labial palps used to transport excavated soil away from the nest entrance.
Stenodynerus
Stenodynerus is a large genus of potter wasps (subfamily Eumeninae) distributed across the Nearctic, Palearctic, Oriental, and Neotropical regions. Females are known to provision nests with paralyzed caterpillars as food for their larvae. The genus is morphologically close to Parancistrocerus, Hypancistrocerus, and Eustenancistrocerus, with which it shares diagnostic features including medial pits on the anterior pronotum and expanded tegulae. Most species lack a transverse carina on the first metasomal tergum.
Stenodynerus blandoides
Stenodynerus blandoides is a species of solitary mason wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae, described by Bohart in 1943. It is a small, cavity-nesting wasp that provision nests with paralyzed caterpillars for its larval offspring. The species is difficult to distinguish from closely related genera such as Parancistrocerus based on live specimens alone. Like other eumenine wasps, it utilizes pre-existing tunnels in wood or hollow stems for nesting.