Sceliphronidae

Sceliphronidae is a family of wasps in the order Hymenoptera, commonly known as mud daubers. These wasps are solitary, meaning each female builds her own nest and provisions it with prey. They are characterized by their long, slender waist, which connects the mesosoma (thorax) to the metasoma (abdomen). The metasoma is often distinctly bulbous at its base.

Mud daubers are found worldwide, inhabiting a variety of climates. Their nests are typically constructed from mud, which they collect from moist soil and water sources. The mud is mixed with saliva to create a durable material. Common nesting sites include sheltered locations such as eaves of buildings, porches, sheds, and hollow trees. The nests can vary in shape and size, often appearing as a single cell or a series of mud cells arranged in a linear or clustered fashion.

The diet of mud daubers consists primarily of spiders. Adult wasps hunt spiders, paralyze them with their venom, and then transport them to their mud nests. Each cell is provisioned with several spiders, which serve as food for the developing larva. After laying a single egg on the paralyzed spiders, the female seals the cell with mud. Once the egg hatches, the larva consumes the spiders and completes its development within the cell. After pupation, the adult wasp emerges, typically in the spring or summer, to begin the cycle anew. Despite their formidable appearance and their ability to sting, mud daubers are generally not aggressive towards humans and will only sting if directly provoked or handled.