Potter Wasp (Eumeninae)

Description

Most species of this subfamily have a black or brownish body with red, white, orange, or yellow patterns. However, certain species indigenous to the tropical regions have metallic blue or green tinges against their brown or black body. Other prominent physical features include longitudinally folded wings, especially when at rest, alongside a narrow waist.

Species of Eumenes, a genus of this subfamily, grow to a length of 13-17 mm, with the first abdominal segments appearing a little elongated, increasing eventually in width from behind.

Distribution: In the northern and southern hemispheres; Europe, parts of the United States, Canada, and certain regions of Australia

Do They Bite/Sting: No; unless touched or provoked

Lifespan: Social Wasps – 22 days; Queens – 1 year

Predators: Centipedes, dragonflies, beetles

Behavior and Characteristics

Nesting

The species of the potter wasps subfamilies have unique and diverse ways of building their nests. Some might construct their dwelling places in the wooden tunnels made by beetles, nests abandoned by other wasps, bees, or sawflies, or inside manmade holes. However, mud nests made by mixing mud, soil, and regurgitated water are the commonest. 

The nests have one or many brood cells made using mud, resembling marble in size. Upon the completion of a cell, the adult wasps collect larvae of beetles, caterpillars, and spiders and paralyze them. It then places its catch inside the cells as food for the larva.

The female potter plays a significant role in making the nests, and the males have no function in the same. However, the females do not protect their nests. No wonder the larva or pupa residing within could be at stake when the nests get scraped off.

Diet

The adult species of potter wasps primarily feed on the nectar of flowers.

Social behavior

Unlike other wasps of the Vespidae family, the potter wasps are solitary and non-aggressive.

Life Cycle

The potter wasps’ life cycle lasts between a couple of weeks to a little over a year.

1. Egg Stage

The female lays an egg inside the cell and hangs it using a thread made of dried fluid before provisioning the egg with food.

2. Larva Stage

After the larva hatches, it drops into the nest and begins feeding on the supplies left by the female for a few weeks before transitioning to the pupal phase.