(Sceliphron caementarium)
Conservation • Description • Habitat • Biology • Distribution • Taxonomy
Conservation Status |
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IUCN Red List | not listed |
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NatureServe | not listed |
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Minnesota | not listed |
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Description |
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Yellow markings vary but are usually found at the base of the antennae, the collar (apex) and basal margin of the thorax, the first abdominal segment, and the legs. The hind legs always have at least some yellow markings. |
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Size |
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Total length: 15 ⁄16″to 1⅛″ |
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Similar Species |
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Habitat |
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Biology |
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Season |
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Late spring and summer |
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Behavior |
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Life Cycle |
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Larva Food |
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Paralyzed spiders, especially web builders |
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Adult Food |
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Flower nectar |
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Distribution |
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Sources |
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8/14/2022 | ||||
Occurrence |
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Widespread and common |
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Taxonomy |
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Order |
Hymenoptera (ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies) | ||
Suborder |
Apocrita (narrow-waisted wasps, ants, and bees) | ||
Infraorder |
Aculeata (ants, bees, and stinging wasps) | ||
Superfamily |
Apoidea (bees and apoid wasps) | ||
Family |
Sphecidae (thread-waisted wasps) | ||
Subfamily |
Sceliphrinae (mud-dauber wasps and allies) | ||
Tribe | Sceliphrini (mud-dauber wasps) | ||
Genus |
Sceliphron | ||
Synonyms |
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Pelopaeus solieri Pelopeus tahitensis Pelopoeus architectus Pelopoeus canadensis Pelopoeus nigriventris Pelopoeus servillei Sceliphron affine Sphex affinis Sphex caementarius Sphex economicus Sphex flavipes Sphex flavipunctatus Sphex flavomaculatus Sphex lunatus |
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Common Names |
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black and yellow mud dauber black-waisted mud-dauber (outside of the US) yellow-legged mud dauber |
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This species was formerly known in North America by the common name “black and yellow mud dauber.” That name also applied to every species in the genus, so was a poor choice for the species. Fot that reason, BugGuide.net recently began using the name “yellow-legged mud dauber.” Several sources have adopted the new name for this species, but it is still widely known by its old name. |
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Visitor Photos |
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Share your photo of this insect. |
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This button not working for you? Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com. Attach one or more photos and, if you like, a caption. |
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Alfredo Colon |
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Mike Poeppe |
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Anna Lehmicke |
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This is only the nest structure found in the attic of our house. Have not had any confirmed sightings of the adult. It appears that one cell is still intact, we have it in a critter cage for now, can update if an adult emerges from the nest. | ![]() |
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Bill Reynolds |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos |
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Visitor Videos |
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Share your video of this insect. |
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This button not working for you? Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com. Attach a video, a YouTube link, or a cloud storage link. |
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Other Videos |
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Mud Dauber Wasp (Sceliphron Caementarium) NatureBytes |
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About
Uploaded on May 27, 2009 We are watching a mother gather materials for her nest. The mud dauber builds a nest which is placed in a sheltered area. After building her nest and laying her eggs the female dies. Next spring the larva dig their way out of their mud ball called home. www.naturebytesvideo.com |
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sceliphron caementarium Sean McCann |
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About
Uploaded on Aug 7, 2007 1/4 speed mudball making |
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Sceliphron caementarium wetvideocamera |
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About
Published on May 20, 2013 Black and Yellow Mud Dauber - Often seen collcting mud by wet puddle and moist streambanks. Seen here on a tributary of Stoney Creek, Burnaby, BC |
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Mud dauber making nest Rajesh Ma |
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About
Uploaded on Sep 6, 2008 Black and yellow mud dauber is a common name for the sphecid wasp species Sceliphron caementarium. They are solitary insects that build nests out of mud in sheltered locations, frequently on man-made structures such as bridges, barns, open porches or under the eaves of houses. These nests are not aggressively defended, and stings are rare. The black and yellow mud dauber's nest is comprised of a series of cylindrical cells that are plastered over to form a smooth nest that may attain nearly the size of a human fist. After building a cell, the female wasp captures several spiders. The captured prey are stung and paralyzed before being placed in the nest, and then a single egg is deposited on the prey within each cell. The wasp then seals the cell with mud. After finishing a series of cells, she leaves and does not return. Eventually, the hatching larva will eat the prey and emerge from the nest. |
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