MasonWasps

These handsome creatures are Four-toothed Mason Wasps warning each other about getting too close to their respective nest openings. We put up a 'WaspHouse' (see *Extra) for them several years ago. Since these are 'solitary potter' wasps and don't gather together in community hives, they must search for small openings/holes in which to lay their eggs and before they seal up the opening they deposit a moth or cutworm caterpillar which they have stung and paralyzed in with each egg. Once it hatches, the larvae begins to feed on the living caterpillar. After pupating, sometimes over the winter, the young wasp will chew it's way through the mud cell and free itself. Adult Four-toothed Mason Wasps drink flower nectar and are beneficial to the pollenating process. These wasps are not aggressive to humans and sting only if threatened.