Species guide - species detail
Vespidae (Potter wasp)
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Taxonomy
Wasps in the genus Euodynerus are 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 at least 18 species in North America, with Euodynerus foraminatus the most common one 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.
Nest Structure
Eumenids are solitary-nesters, with each female building her own nest.
They typically use mud or agglutinated sand to build their nest cells 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. Eumenids stock their nests with paralyzed prey, as is typical of solitary nesting wasps. Prey choices include caterpillars and beetle and moth larvae, including leaf mining beetles and moths that are often garden or crop pests.
Hole Sizes
No information at this time.
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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