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Euodynerus foraminatus (Potter wasp)
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Taxonomy
Euodynerus foraminatus is in the family Vespidae, in the sub family Eumeninae. Eumenids are solitary nest building wasps that stock their nests with many individuals of some species of leaf-eating arthropod prey (like catterpillars). As such, they can be helpful to gardeners. There are many Eumenid species in North America, including at least 18 species within the genus Euodynerus. Euodynerus foraminatus was the most common Euodynerus species in Bee Atlas blocks.
Description
Eumenid wasps have a stereotypical “wasp” look to them, but they are solitary and not aggressive like social wasps that are found in the family Vespidae. They are generally black with yellow bands and markings. At rest, their wings fold longitudinally and may appear very thin. They range in size from very small to medium.
Euodynerus foraminatus are medium sized black wasps with yellow bands and markings.
Nest Structure
Euodynerus foraminatus are solitary-nesters, with each female building her own nest. They nest in borings in wood, hollow twigs, old Polistes wasp cells, and even corrugated cardboard, using mud or firmly agglutinated sand for walls and plugs. The plugs frequently have a smooth outer surface, in contrast to the bee Osmia lignaria that also uses mud, but tends to have chunkier, rougher looking nest plugs. Euodynerus foraminatus stock their nests with paralyzed caterpillars. (Buck et al 2008)
Hole Sizes
Euodynerus foraminatus nest in column 2 (1/4-5/16") in Bee Atlas blocks, and sometimes in the upper column 1 holes (3/8").
Voltinism
Possibly multivoltine. Eumenids can have 2 generations per year in Minnesota.
Activity Period
Early summer into early fall.
References
Buck, Matthias. 2008. Identification Atlas of the Vespidae (Hymenoptera, Aculeata) of the northeastern Nearctic region. Canadian Journal of Arthropod Identification. Accessed from http://www.biology.ualberta.ca/bsc/ejournal/bmc_05/bmc_05.html.
Minnesota Record Map
These data are from the Minnesota Bee Atlas project.
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