Potter Wasps

Last week we saw a most unusual wasp hovering around the top of our steps. We thought it was looking for water as it has been very dry, but on closer inspection it was building something which looked like small pots. We think it is the Potter wasp (also known as the Mason wasp), with characteristic long waist, but if anyone can confirm, please do.

The following day there seemed to be a new pot in the making, so we watched with interest. The Potter wasp uses saliva to make a pot in which to store an egg - one per pot, and places a food store ready for the larva.

Once we realised what it was doing, we took some photos and then saw the most amazing thing. In each "pot" the wasp places food for the larva by first collecting it, stunning it with a sting or two and then feeding it into the hole. After there is a good supply of food the pot is sealed. Apparently the wasp never returns to the pots.

beautifully shaped pot in the making

here comes mum with the first caterpillar

positioning the caterpillar with the entrance

stinging to stun the prey

in it goes - using legs as a conveyer belt

the whole process took about two minutes

all in place

and another - not much room left in there!

this shot gives a good view of the long waist

It is truly amazing to watch this insect and to see how well it has camouflaged the pots with our stones. The wasps are generally non-aggressive unless provoked. We would never have spotted it if it wasn't so close to where we were sitting.