Mud Dauber Wasp

Description:

Typical mud dauber construction, but the distinguishing features for identification are the orange coloration of the front and middle pairs of legs and the bright yellow femur of the rear legs with matching bright yellow petiolate (thread waist). I was unable to find a definitive ID or any matching images on the web.

Habitat:

Adjacent to a small stream. Altitude 1000m.

Notes:

It was interesting observing this wasp’s mud collecting procedure: Once landing, 1 - it first searched around for a suitable patch of mud. 2 - Removed any sticks or stones and cast them aside. 3 - Dug its open jaws into the mud and pulled back onto its front legs, several times to form a ball of mud. 4 – dug its jaws deep under the ball and lifted out the sphere of mud. 5 – clamped the ball between its jaws and front legs and flew off. I could not get close enough for photography until the digging process had begun, then the wasp was too engaged to notice me.