It may not be 100% scientifically proven, but based on the evidence that the pods in the door jamb have started to hatch, and this beauty was caught red-handed at the kitchen door trying to make a break for it – do we have our mud-building, spider-torturing beastie?
Organ Pipe Mud Dauber Wasp
(Trypoxylon politum)
She was very obliging for the photograph, docile and quiet – I was quickly able to release her into the great outdoors. Probably heading straight for a quaff of sweet nectar, after weeks of nothing but half-dead spider.
I’ve grown quite fond of this OPMDW – she doesn’t sting, burrow or chew, she keeps the spider population down (not perceptably), she pollinates flowers and is capable of non-destructive, ingenius architecture.
She is therefore welcome to inhabit the Doorway, and co-exist with all the other creatures who call it home.
Stick To Plan Bee 
She is also very good at posing in the studio – maybe you could start Vogue for wasps!
I did have to be quick – and she wasn’t to keen to show her face – she’s probably more proud of that impressive waist.
What a result! A positive identification. Actually, he’s not a bad looking specimen and to think of all those positive attributes – I think I want one too.
I should report back that the Mud Pod in the Jar experiment has not yielded any information – its all very quiet in there. Now I would just like to witness the wasp collecting mud, and doing some construction.
Isn’t she a beauty. And she’s a patient model which is more than I can say for most pests. I’ll try to ignore the contents of her first meal(s) and like her for who she is.
Thanks for the great detective work – it’s been fun to watch.
I suppose she isn’t everybodys’ cup of tea – but I like her – and I’ve learnt quite a bit during the Investigation.
I think I have some around here also. Or at least some that look like cousins!!! I’m all for those lovely critters living with me!
Linda
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