Organ-Pipe Mud-Dauber Wasp
ExploreInsects
Organ-Pipe Mud-Dauber Wasp
trypoxylon politum
The Organ-Pipe Mud-Dauber Wasp builds amazing tube-shaped nests out of mud! These wasps are great helpers in the garden because they catch and eat spiders.
Habitat: You can find them in gardens, fields, and near water sources.
Appearance
The Organ-Pipe Mud-Dauber Wasp is a slender wasp, often iridescent blue-black or violet, with smoky-tinted wings. It has a distinctive long, thread-like 'waist' (petiole) connecting its thorax and abdomen, which sets it apart from other larger-bodied wasps.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHymenopteraFamilyCrabronidaeGenusTrypoxylon
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Adult Organ-Pipe Mud-Daubers are gentle nectar-drinkers, acting as valuable flower pollinators.
Female wasps build each long mud 'pipe' by carefully carrying and shaping tiny mud pellets.
The paralyzed spiders they catch are not for themselves, but food for their future baby wasps!
Their amazing blue-black bodies often shimmer with metallic iridescence in bright sunlight.
Special abilities
Ability
Expert Masonry
Organ-Pipe Mud-Dauber Wasps can construct intricate mud nests because of their specialized mandibles and saliva, which helps them build safe nurseries.
Ability
Paralyzing Sting
Organ-Pipe Mud-Dauber Wasps can paralyze spiders with their venomous sting, which helps them store fresh, living food for their young.
Ability
Iridescent Camouflage
Organ-Pipe Mud-Dauber Wasps have an iridescent blue-black body that helps them blend into shaded environments, making them harder for predators to spot.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 25-45 mm
- Size
- 15-28 mm
- Lifespan
- 20-30 days
- Flight Speed
- 20 km/h
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Adults sip nectar, but their babies feast on paralyzed spiders hidden in mud nurseries.
Age differences: Adults consume nectar for energy; larvae feed exclusively on spiders provisioned by their mother.
Primary Foods
- nectar
- spiders
- honeydew
Foraging Method
- Pursuit
Ecological connections
hunts
European Garden Spider
Araneus diadematus
Main prey for larvae
hunts
Black and Yellow Garden Spider
Argiope aurantia
Common spider prey
pollinates
Common Sunflower
Helianthus annuus
Adults feed on nectar
eaten by
Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata
Predator of adult wasps
Traits
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Carnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
Mud-DauberOrgan-Pipe WaspTube Wasp
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
These wasps are not dangerous and rarely sting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Organ-Pipe Mud-Dauber Wasp's wingspan?
25-45 mm
How big is Organ-Pipe Mud-Dauber Wasp?
15-28 mm
How long does Organ-Pipe Mud-Dauber Wasp live?
20-30 days
How fast can Organ-Pipe Mud-Dauber Wasp fly?
20 km/h
What does Organ-Pipe Mud-Dauber Wasp eat?
Adults sip nectar, but their babies feast on paralyzed spiders hidden in mud nurseries.
Where is Organ-Pipe Mud-Dauber Wasp usually found?
You can find them in gardens, fields, and near water sources.
How does Organ-Pipe Mud-Dauber Wasp hunt?
Pursuit
How many legs does Organ-Pipe Mud-Dauber Wasp have?
6
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
%2C_underside.jpg&width=800)
