The parasitic Potter Wasp has purple wings and get its own urn-shaped room as larvae.
Potter Wasps have nests that look like ceramic jugs or pots. They create these mud nests on twigs, branches or on the trunks of trees. The marble-sized nest has only one chamber, unlike the many chambers inside a honeybee hive. They are most active during the summer.
A female will lay just one egg inside the chamber and then place paralyzed caterpillars inside as well before sealing the nest at the opening. The parasitic wasp larva will eat the caterpillars before digging its way out of the chamber.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Arthropoda
Class:Insecta
Order:Hymenoptera
Family:Vespidae
Genus:Eumenes
Species:fraternus
Identifying Information
Scientific Name: Eumenes fraternus
Category:
Bee, Ant, Wasp and Similar
Size (Adult; Length): 9mm to 19mm (0.35in to 0.74in)
Note: An insect's reach is not limited by lines drawn on a map and therefore species may appear in areas, regions and/or states beyond those listed above as they are driven by environmental factors (such as climate change), available food supplies and mating patterns. Grayed-out selections indicate that the subject in question has not been reported in that particular territory. U.S. states and Canadian provinces / territories are clickable to their respective bug listings.
Ant, Bee, and Wasp Anatomy
1
Antennae: Ants and Bees both have a pair of antennae on the head that senses their surroundings.
2
Head: The head contains the insect's compound eyes, antennae, and mandibles.
3
Thorax: Contains various vital parts such as the aorta and nervous system.
4
Abdomen: Contains various organs including the heart, gut, venom glands, and anus.
5
Legs: Ants and Bees have three pairs of legs attached to the thorax (center-body section).
NOTE: Ants, Bees and Wasps are part of the Hymenoptera order because they share many similarities.
Colors: cream, black, yellow, white, purple
