Mud dauber?

[vcd27]

Country: Portugal
Region: Beira Alta


Recently while cleaning a construction site, some old coat that was left outside had 2 cocoons within, the coat had to be removed from there and the cocoons were displaced, they were brought to me and I believe they are some type of mud dauber wasp could anyone confirm this?

They both seem to have some kind of darker spot outside their cocoons, the one with the hole has some strange white mark on it (perhaps mold?), however I'm afraid that separating the cocoons will end up exposing them both ruining the wasps chances of emerging.

I intend on rearing them, however one of the coccons has a hole on it, which I think means that the wasp within has unfortunatly died, however the other one is seemingly intact, how would I rear a mud dauber, even tough there might be just a single viable specimen, I still think this a great opportunity for me to learn something about these unfairly persecuted wasps.

Here's the pictures

[trehopr1]

These are indeed the cells of a mud dauber type wasp. I believe these were attached to something and in the process of removal one of the cells suffered some damage to the mud exterior; as there is clearly a divot or cratered appearance around the hole.

It may still be a viable cell. Also because both cells have been capped then they should emerge for you at some point.

If you keep them indoors they may emerge during the winter as the warmth of your home will accelerate their gestation period. You could always place these in a jar and put them outside during your winter and perhaps in the spring or next summer you will see something emerge.

Mud daubers are rather benign wasps (as wasps temperament goes). So, unless you care to make specimens of them I would probably let them go to carry on their lives once they emerge.

[Adam Cotton]

I would say that something has emerged from the one with a hole, either an adult mud dauber or a parasitoid wasp which developed in the mud dauber larva.

Adam.

[vcd27]

Sept 29, 2021 18:48:54 GMT -8 trehopr1 said:

These are indeed the cells of a mud dauber type wasp. I believe these were attached to something and in the process of removal one of the cells suffered some damage to the mud exterior; as there is clearly a divot or cratered appearance around the hole.

It may still be a viable cell. Also because both cells have been capped then they should emerge for you at some point.

If you keep them indoors they may emerge during the winter as the warmth of your home will accelerate their gestation period. You could always place these in a jar and put them outside during your winter and perhaps in the spring or next summer you will see something emerge.

Mud daubers are rather benign wasps (as wasps temperament goes). So, unless you care to make specimens of them I would probably let them go to carry on their lives once they emerge.

Thanks for the answer, they were indeed attached to a coat left in a construction site, due to the low quality of the picture you can't see it, but around the hole there are cloth markings left in the mud, which is where I believe it was attached before it was removed, at first I tought it was a parasite that made it like Adam suggested, but it seems like it was the result of being removed, either way I will be keeping them both.

Keeping them indoors for a prolonged period of time would indeed be a bad idea, emerging out of season would be a death sentence for the wasps.

I suppose they would work similar to solitary bee cocoons like mason bees, emerging when the temperature is right, I do several questions about keeping them safe until they emerge

Shold I just keep them in a jar in a place outside safe from the rain with a cloth between the cocoons and the jars? How would I make sure that the cocoons won't get damaged by the humidity? Should I keep the jar slightly open or close it completely?

Mud daubers are indeed benign wasps, they do get a very bad reputation, it's almost impossible to find any info on them that's not about killing them or destroying their nests, if somebody went off from google searches they would think mud daubers are here to destroy the planet, I cannot find much information on rearing or helping them

[trehopr1]

If you find yourself a wide mouth jar you could place them perhaps on a bed of cotton for cushioning.

Ideally if you have a shed or a garage you could put it in there where the jar will be out of the sun and the elements. Humidity should not play any part since the cells have been sealed by the parent wasps.

They should overwinter just fine out there where the ambient temperature will be like that of outdoors. Check periodically and with any luck you will see them freshly emerged from their long slumber.

Of course place the jar where someone will regularly see it so it is not forgotten. I suppose a few holes punched into the lid will aid in air transfer.

[vcd27]

Bad news: while inspecting my cocoons I left them on top of a shelf where I tought they would be safe, however in the morning I found them gone, and that my cat had torn them to shreds. Very unfortunate mistake that could've been entirely prevented by putting them somewhere safer. Won't do the same mistake with my other cocoons.