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This Mud Dauber Wasp flew into the car and was photographed on the car window ledge.
Photograph copyright: ozwildlife - all rights reserved. Used with permission.
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Mud dauber wasp nest. The adult wasps have emerged from these cells.
Photograph copyright: ozwildlife - all rights reserved. Used with permission.
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This cell is sealed with larva inside.
Photograph copyright: ozwildlife - all rights reserved. Used with permission.
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The wasp preys on jumping spiders. She stings them to paralyze them and puts them into the mud nest. This collection of about 10 jumping spiders came from a single cell. You can see the yellow wasp larva on one of the spiders.
Photograph copyright: ozwildlife - all rights reserved. Used with permission.
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The larva eats the spiders then pupates in the mud cell.
Photograph copyright: ozwildlife - all rights reserved. Used with permission.
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MUD DAUBER WASP FACTS |
Identification
The Mud Dauber Wasp is a large black or dark brown wasp, banded with yellow. It has a then waist an long legs. In summer it is often seen around wet soil, pools, bird baths as it collects mud to make its nest.
Size
25mm
Food
The adult wasp preys on spiders which are packed into each nest cell, then an egg is laid in the cell. The larva eats the spiders when the egg hatches.
Breeding
The female builds a mud nest carrying small pellets of mud from damp soil. Several cells are built next to each other in rows. Nests common around houses in sheds, garages, car ports.
Classification
| Class: | Insecta | | Order: | Hymenoptera | | Family: | Sphecidae | | Genus: | Sceliphron | | Species: | sp | | Common Name: | Mud Dauber Wasp |
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