This wasp is approximately 1 inch in length. The eyes are black. The thorax is black with yellow markings on the front, center and rear. The black abdomen is positioned on a long, thin petiole which is about half the length of the entire abdomen. The yellow color is variable in this species, as the abdomen sometimes has some yellow on segment two. The antennae are black and the legs are mostly yellow with some black. The wings are a tawny color.
This is an uncommon wasp in this area. It can be seen in mid-summer nectaring on flowers such as Queen Anne’s Lace.
This solitary wasp provides spiders in its nest for the developing larva. The female uses pea-sized mud balls to construct a nest cell which is at least 1 inch long and is placed in sheltered areas such as under bridges, eaves of buildings or under rock ledges. The nest is columnar, with up to 25 cells arranged vertically. Each cell is provisioned with several spiders which she stings and paralyzes. When the last spider is deposited, the female lays an egg on one and seals the cell with a thick mud plug. When the nest is completed she does not return to the nest. The larvae spin cocoons and pupate within the cell. These wasps can sting, but are rarely aggressive and do not defend their nests.
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