potter and mason wasps
(Subfamily Eumeninae)
Overview • Description • Distribution • Taxonomy
Overview |
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Eumeninae is the subfamily of vespid wasps that includes potter and mason wasps. There are almost 3,000 species of Eumeninae worldwide, more than 260 species in North America north of Mexico, and at least 34 species in Minnesota. Most Eumeninae species nest in pre-existing cavities. Some build a small, mud, jug-shaped nest (pot), often on a twig. The shape of the nest is the source of one of the common names of this subfamily. Most North American Eumeninae are potter wasps. Mason wasps are most common in South America, though they also occur in Africa, Southeast Asia, and North America. At least six mason wasp species occur in Minnesota. |
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Description |
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Most adults are ⅜″ to ¾″ (10 to 20 mm) long and are black with white or yellow markings. The jaws (mandibles) are long and knife-like. The exoskeletal plate covering the middle segment of the thorax (mesoscutum) has a small projection at each rear corner. The forewings have three submarginal cells. The fourth leg segment (tibia) on the middle leg has just one spur at the tip. |
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Distribution |
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Sources
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| 7/9/2022 | ||||
Taxonomy |
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Order |
Hymenoptera (ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies) | ||
Suborder |
Apocrita (narrow-waisted wasps, ants, and bees) | ||
| No Rank | Aculeata (ants, bees, and stinging wasps) | ||
Superfamily |
Vespoidea (vespoid wasps) | ||
Family |
Vespidae (hornets, paper wasps, potter wasps, and allies) | ||
Subordinate Taxa |
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mason wasps (Zethus spp.) potter and mason wasps (Ancistrocerus spp.) potter and mason wasps (Euodynerus spp.) potter and mason wasps (Leptochilus spp.) potter and mason wasps (Odynerus spp.) potter and mason wasps (Parancistrocerus spp.) potter and mason wasps (Parazumia spp.) potter and mason wasps (Pterocheilus spp.) potter and mason wasps (Stenodynerus spp.) potter and mason wasps (Symmorphus spp.) typical mason wasps (Eumenes spp.) |
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Synonyms |
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Common Names |
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potter and mason wasps potter wasps |
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Visitor Photos |
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Babette Kis |
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Eumeninae potter and mason wasps Eumeninae sp., potter and mason wasps. This wasp was on goldenrod sp. flowers, along with a number of bumblebees, honeybees and a blood bee. Photographed at Barnes Prairie, Racine Co., WI on October 6, 2022. |
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Chelsey Carlson |
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Dan Engblom |
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Chad & Autumn Brekke |
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Wasp carrying an inch worm. |
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Christine |
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found on grill cover. |
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Jill |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos |
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Slideshows |
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| Potter Wasp DianesDigitals |
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About
Copyright DianesDigitals |
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Visitor Videos |
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Share your video of this insect. |
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Other Videos |
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| Potter Wasp or Mason Wasp: A Master Architect videosvibes |
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About
Published on Apr 30, 2011 Potter wasp or mason wasp belongs to the family Vespidae and subfamily Eumeninae. The name potter wasps is derived from the shape of the mud nests built by the species of Eumenes. Mud nests are made from earth and regurgitated water. |
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Visitor Sightings |
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Report a sighting of this insect. |
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| This button not working for you? Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com. Be sure to include a location. |
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| Babette Kis 10/6/2022 |
Location: Barnes Prairie, Racine Co., WI Eumeninae sp., potter and mason wasps. This wasp was on goldenrod sp. flowers, along with a number of bumblebees, honeybees and a blood bee. Photographed at Barnes Prairie, Racine Co., WI on October 6, 2022. |
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| Chelsey Carlson 7/19/2021 |
Location: Grand Rapids, MN |
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| Dan Engblom 9/3/2020 |
Location: Anoka, MN |
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| Chad & Autumn Brekke 9/2/2018 |
Location: This was in our yard in Kilkenny, MN. Wasp carrying an inch worm. |
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| Christine 8/10/2018 |
Location: Anoka County found on grill cover. |
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| Jill 6/24/2016 |
Location: Arden hills, MN |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings |
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Created: 9/4/2018
Last Updated: