This solitary Mason Wasp is a member of the subfamily Eumeninae. This wasp is approximately 1/2 inch in length. The face is black and the thorax is red and black. The colorful abdomen is largely red and yellow. The wings are brown. The amount of black is highly variable in this species.
This wasp is uncommon in Fontenelle Forest. It can be seen nectaring on flowers from mid summer through fall.
Individuals in the western part of the range as far east as Iowa have more red coloration, while individuals in the east can be mostly black. The prey is Pyralid moth caterpillars, which can be serious pests on human food supplies and can thrive indoors at all seasons. Hidalgo nests are in borings in wood or mud cells in abandoned Mud Dauber and Polistes nests.
The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page is: Loren Padelford.