Black and yellow mud dauber

Description:

The Black and Yellow Mud-dauber is a very common wasp. It is the most familiar of wasps because they are often encountered in human habitation especially in porches, corridors, stairways, etc, where their nests which are made of mud are built. This is how this solitary insect got its name. After digging up fine mud outdoor, it daubs it with saliva (or whatever is secreted in its mouth), and molds it into a fine ball that it could easily airlift to build a new nest inside the house of any unknown fellow. At the time of photography, there was always from two to six wasps present at the muddy location. They always returned in quick succession after preparing mud and delivering to their respective nests under construction.

Habitat:

At a stream side with damp red earth