insect · GBIF taxon 5041466
Black-and-Yellow Mud Dauber
Sceliphron caementariumAlso known as Yellow-Legged Mud-Dauber Wasp, Black-Waisted Mud-Dauber Wasp, Mud Wasp, Dirt Dauber
These solitary wasps are easily recognized by their extremely long, thread-like waist and striking black-and-yellow coloration. Females construct tube-like mud nests on sheltered rock faces, bridges, and human structures, plastering them with wet clay collected from puddles. They provision each nest cell with dozens of paralyzed spiders to feed their developing larvae.
Solitary WaspSpider HunterNest Builder
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- diet
- Nectar for adults, paralyzed spiders for larvae
- family
- Sphecidae
- threats
- Pesticide use, habitat loss, and human destruction of nests
- life Span
- Approximately 1 year
NE
Females can sting if handled or squeezed; observe their nest-building from a safe distance.
- Watch mud gathering: Look for females vibrating their wings at puddle edges to loosen wet clay.
- Inspect old nests: Check abandoned mud tubes for small holes indicating emerged adult wasps.
- Maintain distance: Avoid touching active builders to prevent defensive stings.