The South American Potter Wasp

Description:

Zeta argillaceum is one of the most common species of potter wasp in South America. It is found throughout the continent and as far north as Mexico and the southern United States (where it is thought to have been accidentally introduced). This wasp adapts easily to habitat change and the nests are a common sight, often in small groups, attached to the walls of buildings in urban areas. The nest cell is roughly spherical, up to 18 mm in diameter, with a single small entrance hole. A single egg is laid in each cell: the adult wasp stocks the cell with paralyzed living food (usually geometrid moth larvae) for the emerging wasp larva to feed on. The nest is only used once by Z. argillaceum but is often reused by other potter wasps such as Pachodynerus spp. Z. argillaceum is often affected by parasitoids such as the eulophid Melittobia australica.

Notes:

Potter Wasp making their nest in a caibro (wooden rafter / a component element of the roof framing.) We are in the summer, and the supply of wet mud is scarce for insects in a few days of drought. The nest built under the roof of the house is protected from rain and direct incidence of the sun's rays, but it is vulnerable to be destroyed by humans. The wasp takes a few minutes to bring new small ball of wet clay. Sometimes, to return with new mud ball, It gets a little confused about the location of their nest. My presence and the flash of the camera made ​​the wasp stay a bit nervous, failing to properly distribute the clay before it dried up. My greatest difficulty to make these photos was the height, and I am afraid of height. I had to climb on an old broken ladder, but it was worth the risk. I love these wasps, and the first time I was able to register a wasp making nest of mud. Thanks, Wasp.