Mud-dauber Wasps and Allies (Subfamily Sceliphrinae)

Subfamily Sceliphrinae is a group of solitary wasps in the family Sphecidae, commonly known as mud-dauber wasps. They occur in many parts of the world, especially in warm and tropical regions, and are recognized for their slender bodies, narrow connection between the thorax and abdomen, and distinctive nesting behavior. Females commonly build nests from mud, shaping the material into small pots, clusters of cells, or tube-like structures on walls, rocks, branches, and sheltered surfaces. They provision these nests with captured prey—often spiders—which they paralyze with a sting before laying an egg alongside the stored food. The developing larvae feed on the prey inside the nest, while adults generally visit flowers for nectar. Sceliphrinae play a useful ecological role by helping regulate spider populations and contributing to pollination through adult feeding activity.