Subfamily Eumeninae - Potter and Mason Wasps

Eumeninae Saussure 1852

>260 spp. in 25 genera in our area(1), >170 genera total

10‒20 mm(2)

A few genera can be identified by the distinctive shape of their abdomen:

worldwide

All habitats from northern boreal forests to the deserts of the southwest

Throughout the warm season, year-round in the south

Eumenines prey mainly upon moth larvae, although some take larvae of leaf-feeding beetles. Adults take nectar.

Most species nest in pre-existing cavities (e.g., old borings in wood, hollow stems, rock crevices) and use mud (less commonly sand) for partitions between brood cells ―thus 'mason wasps.' Some make nests in the ground (e.g., all Pterocheilus, Odynerus, many Euodynerus). Some ground-nesting species build mud turrets over the entrance (O. dilectus, E. annulatus). 'Potter wasps' make free-standing nests of mud, e.g. Eumenes and Zeta.

Cleptoparasites and parasites of eumenine wasps include members of Chrysididae, Mutillidae, and Sarcophagidae as those most commonly reared from nests.