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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies (Hymenoptera) » Aculeata - Bees, Ants, and other Stinging Wasps » Ants, Stinging Wasps, and Hornets (Vespoidea) » Yellowjackets, Paper Wasps, and Hornets; Potter, Mason and Pollen Wasps (Vespidae) » Potter and Mason Wasps (Eumeninae) » Zeta » Zeta argillaceum
Photo#242959
wasp - Zeta argillaceum - female
Copyright © 2008 Ilona L.

wasp - Zeta argillaceum - Female
Pinellas County, Florida, USA
December 1, 2008
I think this is a Zeta argillaceum. It has been constructing a series of pots on a sheltered side of a house. Haven't really seen that many insects around here yet. Where do the insects hang out in Florida?

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wasp - Zeta argillaceum - female wasp - Zeta argillaceum - female wasp - Zeta argillaceum - female
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Contributed by Ilona L. on 1 December, 2008 - 8:32pm
Last updated 2 December, 2008 - 8:47pm

Moved
Moved from Potter and Mason Wasps.
… Ilona L., 2 December, 2008 - 8:46pm login or register to post comments

This is indeed Zeta argillaceum
This female is laying an egg into the last built cell of her nest (one larva is reared in each cell).
… Richard Vernier, 2 December, 2008 - 7:08pm login or register to post comments

 
One thing that intrigues me i
One thing that intrigues me is why she leaves the last pot opened. This happened with the previous pot, too. She left the pot opened and then I noticed that pot #5 was sealed when she started building pot #6.
… Ilona L., 2 December, 2008 - 8:55pm login or register to post comments

 
Before sealing the cell...
she has to fill it with the requested number of paralyzed caterpillars: the food the larva will eat between hatching and metamorphosis.
… Richard Vernier, 2 December, 2008 - 10:06pm login or register to post comments

...
I think you are right.
There are a great number of insects in FL, you just need to be there in the right season. However, winter is great for a great many wonderful species. I would look in parks and wooded areas. Try places where there are lots of flowers and weeds.
… Sean McCann, 1 December, 2008 - 10:02pm login or register to post comments

 
Thanks for the hints. Once w
Thanks for the hints. Once we're settled a bit more I hope to get out to some of the nearby parks. It would also help to be a bit warmer. Apparently they are having a cold spell in this part of Florida now.
… Ilona L., 2 December, 2008 - 8:59pm login or register to post comments

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