# 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. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 4 - **Habitat:** You can find them in gardens, fields, and near water sources. - **Also known as:** Mud-Dauber, Organ-Pipe Wasp, Tube Wasp ![Organ-Pipe Mud-Dauber Wasp](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Pipe_Organ_Mud_Dauber_with_Spider_-_Trypoxylon_politum%252C_Leesylvania_State_Park%252C_Woodbridge%252C_Virginia.jpg&width=800) Photo: Judy Gallagher, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pipe_Organ_Mud_Dauber_with_Spider_-_Trypoxylon_politum%252C_Leesylvania_State_Park%252C_Woodbridge%252C_Virginia.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Crabronidae - **Genus:** Trypoxylon ## 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 - **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. - **Paralyzing Sting:** Organ-Pipe Mud-Dauber Wasps can paralyze spiders with their venomous sting, which helps them store fresh, living food for their young. - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) — Predator of adult wasps ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low These wasps are not dangerous and rarely sting. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Organ-Pipe Mud-Dauber Wasp? Compare the antennae, wings, waist, body hair and legs. Yellow and black stripes show up on bees, wasps and harmless mimics alike. Bee & Wasp Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### 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 ## Where to spot - [Columbia Canal](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/columbia-canal) — South Carolina, US · Historic Site - [Starlight Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/starlight-park) — New York, US · Park - [Pasaquan](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/pasaquan) — Georgia, US · Historic District - [Lake Ahquabi State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lake-ahquabi-state-park) — Iowa, US · State Park [View all places to see Organ-Pipe Mud-Dauber Wasp](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/organ-pipe-mud-dauber-wasp) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Organ-Pipe Mud-Dauber Wasp: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/organ-pipe-mud-dauber-wasp)