Open Pipe Mud Daubers

Habits

Mud daubers undergo complete metamorphosis, which means they pass through four stages during their lifecycle – egg, larvae, pupae (cocoon) and adult. Depending on the species, they complete one or two generations per year. In the spring, overwintering pupae develop into the adult. The new adult females will construct nests comprised of mud tubes of varying sizes. Each mud tube is provisioned with several spiders that the female mud dauber catches and paralyzes with her venom. The female mud dauber deposits an egg on the first spider within each mud tube and then seals them with mud. The mud dauber larvae will hatch from the eggs and feed on the prey left behind by the adult female mud dauber. Then, the larvae will develop into pupae, a process that usually takes about three weeks. The pupae will spin a silk cocoon to overwinter until the following spring when they become adults. Adult mud daubers feed on plant nectar, honeydew, and body fluids from the spiders they capture. Some species of mud dauber even feed on dangerous black widow spiders.

Mud daubers are solitary wasps, meaning they are not social and do not live in colonies. However, more than one mud dauber nest may be found in some suitable environments. Typical mud dauber nest locations include sheltered sites under eaves, porch ceilings, open garages or sheds, barns, protected building walls and attics.

The shape of the mud dauber nest is a key indicator of the wasp group. For example, female black-and-yellow mud daubers will construct their nests of many short mud tubes measuring about 1” (25 mm) long that are built side-by-side. On the other hand, the organ pipe mud dauber constructs a nest comprised of many long mud tubes (20+ cm) that resemble pipes on a pipe organ. In general, most mud daubers will select a new site to build a nest for each generation.

Habitat

Female mud daubers construct nests of mud. Many short mud tubes, usually about 1" long, are constructed side by side. They usually build their nests in a sheltered site, such as under eaves, porch ceilings, in garages and sheds left open, in barns and attics, etc. Nests typically exhibit round holes in them as the wasps emerge. This means the nest is probably old and inactive after springtime.

Threats

Mud daubers do not defend their nests. In fact, mud dauber stings are fairly rare. These insects are typically considered nuisance pests, and are actually beneficial as they help control spiders.