Potter wasps
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© Australian Museum
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Paralastor
- Subfamily
- Eumeninae
- Family
- Vespidae
- Super Family
- Vespoidea
- Suborder
- Apocrita
- Order
- Hymenoptera
- Class
- Insecta
- Subphylum
- Uniramia
- Phylum
- Arthopoda
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- 1.5 cm
Introduction
The potter wasps are closely related to the paper wasps. However, potter wasps do not form colonies.
Habitat
Potter wasps live in woodlands, heath and urban areas.
Distribution
Potter wasps are found throughout Australia.
Feeding and diet
Potter wasps are solitary, and feed on flower nectar and hunt caterpillars to feed their larvae.
Life history cycle
Potter wasps make mud nests for their eggs and larvae or use abandoned burrows of other insects. They stock the nests with caterpillars and other grubs, which they seal in with mud. These are eaten alive by the wasp larvae.
Danger to humans
Potter wasps have the potential to deliver painful stings, but are not aggressive and rarely attack humans. An ice pack may be used to relieve the pain of the sting. If there is evidence of an allergic reaction, medical attention should be sought.
