This is a solitary Mason Wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae. This is a slender, black wasp approximately 3/4 inch in length. The front and back of the thorax have prominent white markings. There are 2 wide white transverse bands on the top half of the abdomen. Some individuals have 2 narrow white bands lower on the abdomen. The antennae and legs are black. The wings have a bluish tint. The more slender size and more showy white markings separate this wasp from a similar looking Mason wasp, Monobia quadridens.
This wasp is fairly common in Fontenelle Forest and presumably in Neale Woods. They can be seen nectaring on flowers from mid to late summer.
Female wasps hunt and paralyze caterpillars to feed their larvae. Females nest in cavities in wood and make mud partitions between brood cells.
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