potter wasp nest

POTTER WASPSeumenes fraternus

NESTING CREATURES

BASIC INFORMATION

: potter wasps or mason wasps are technically a sub-family of vespidae, but are recognized as a separate family, the eumenidae: potter wasps are known for controlling the population of certain species of caterpillars: one wasp larvae can consume up to 12 caterpillars before it is fully matured: there are roughly 3,000 species of potter wasps worldwide

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

: most eumenine species are black or brown, and are commonly marked with striking patterning: potter wasps are distinguished by long tarsal claws and an extended hind coxae: potter wasps are not overtly aggressive and do not return to monitor their progeny’s maturation

POTTER WASPSeumenes fraternus

NESTING CREATURES

NESTING INFORMATION

: the composition of cells within the nest is dictated by a linear structure separated by a mud partitions: the nests are always built by the female, who constructs the nests independently: the eumene sub-species, apart from using mud to construct nests, also burrows underground, into hollow plant stalks and porous surfaces, and will occupy deserted bee or wasp nests

FUNCTION of the NEST

: when a cell of the nest is completed, the female lays a single egg in one empty cell: after this has been accomplished, the female wasp will find a caterpillar, paralyze it, and carry it back to the nest: the female wasp will the complete the nest and seal off the exit: depending on the species, the nest may function as a home for the larvae for up to 1 year

POTTER WASPSeumenes fraternus

NESTING CREATURES

BUILDING THE NEST

: the female collects water and carries it to a mud collecting site where she then mixes the water with a dry substance using the mandibles: some species of wasp use saliva to speed up the drying process: the nests are comprised of layers of material that are either stacked or compressed to create an inhabitable space

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5

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8`

POTTER WASPSeumenes fraternus

NESTING CREATURES

PROPERTY of the NEST: LAYERING

: in all cases of the eumenes fraternus, the nest is created using monolithic construction: the specific ingredients vary, but include common elements: 1. a bonding agent 2. an aggregate or frictional agent 3. a support element: these elements are then layered to create the larvae chamber

layers of sediment layers of light layers of color layers of ink

POTTER WASPSeumenes fraternus

NESTING CREATURES

PROPERTY of the NEST: REPETITION

: in the process of creating a nest, a wasp must repeat thefollowing actions: 1. collect water 2. collect a sediment 3. mix them together 4. compress + build: after completing these actions several times, the nest is built

repetition of plane repetition of element repetition of form repetition of line

NESTING CREATURES