Subject: What’s that wasp?
Location: Seattle. Can be more specific if need be.
April 25, 2015 2:37 pm
Picture taken in Seattle at a park. Wasp is apparently eating the other bug. The profile and colors don’t match I’ve found, but it does resemble an ichneumon somewhat. Your idea as to species?
Signature: Roger
Black and Yellow Mud Dauber with Prey
Dear Roger,
This is a Black and Yellow Mud Dauber, Sceliphron caementarium, and you can verify our identification on BugGuide where it states: “Adults nectar at flowers; mud nests are built in all kinds of sheltered locations, incl. man-made structures, rock ledges, etc. Adults collect mud for nests at puddle/pool edges. Food nests are provisioned with spiders.” Your individual is not feeding, but rather capturing prey with which to provision its nest, so they prey is likely a Spider.
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