Common name : Antennal-waving Wasp
Scientific name : Tachysphex pechumani
Family : Sphecidae
Native to : Canada and United States
Interesting fact : These insects have created nests not once but twice inside an aircraft’s pilot tubes, causing both aeroplanes to crash.
Varying in length based on their species, the mud dauber is between 0.5 to 1 inch in body length. They are named so because of the female’s nest-making ability where she shapes a mud nest using mandibles. These nests resemble organ pipes or pan flutes. Only one egg is laid in each nest. Predator by nature, the mud dauber brings back insects, specifically spiders to the nest. However, they are also known to drink nectar.
