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Symmorphus albomarginatus (Potter wasp)
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Taxonomy
This species of wasp is in the family Vespidae, and 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 such as caterpillars. For this reason, they can be helpful to gardeners. There are many species in North America.
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.
Symmorphus albomarginatus is a small black wasp with yellow or ivory bands and markings. It is similar to Symmorphus canadensis and Symmorphus cristatus.
Nest Structure
Eumenids are solitary-nesters; each female builds her own nests. They typically use mud or agglutinated sand to build their nest cells and plugs. Frequently plugs have a smooth outer surface. This is in contrast to the bee Osmia lignaria that also uses mud, but tends to have chunkier rougher looking nest plugs. Eumenids stock their nests with paralyzed prey, as is typical of solitary nesting wasps. Prey choices include caterpillars, beetle and moth larvae including leaf mining beetles and moths, and garden or crop pests. Symmorphus albomarginatus nest in sumac and elderberry stems and borings in wood. They prey on the larvae of leaf beetles (Krombein 1967,1979)
Hole Sizes
Symmorphus albomarginatus nest in column 3 (1/8 - 3/16") holes in Bee Atlas blocks.
Voltinism
Possibly multivoltine. Eumenids can have 2 generations per year in Minnesota.
Activity Period
No information at this time.
References
No information at this time.
Minnesota Record Map
These data are from the Minnesota Bee Atlas project.
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