Image of Black and Yellow Mud Dauber

Description:

Mud daubers are solitary wasps and beneficial insects; female mud daubers hunt spiders, paralyze them and feed the spiders to their young. Mud daubers build their nests by gathering mud in their mandibles and applying it in layers. After dragging spiders inside the nest, the female lays her eggs on top of the spiders and then seals up the nest. Once hatched, larvae feed upon the spiders and when big enough, chew their way out of the nest.