Organ pipe mud dauber
Potter wasp grave ( Trypoxylon Figulus ) ♀
The potters grave wasp ( Trypoxylon Figulus ) is a Hymenoptera of the family Crabronidae. The species is not endangered.
Features
The species reaches a body length of 9-12 mm and has a very sleek, all-black body with a long abdomen. The kidney-shaped compound eyes are heavily cut to the inside of the front wings have only a cubital cell. The species is to be confused with other species of the genus, but also with those of similar genera, such Pemphredon.
Occurrence
The potters grave wasp is widespread in Central Europe and frequently almost everywhere. She lives in open, weakly vegetated areas, as well as in sunny woods and gardens. The flight time is from May to September.
Way of life
Unlike the majority of the remaining grave wasps, potters grave wasp nests in pre-existing cavities, such as in wells of beetles, abandoned Erdnestern of wasps, or in hollow stems. The larvae are fed mainly with spiders from the families of cobweb spiders and canopy spiders. A plurality of spinning are introduced into the Nistgang, an egg is placed to and separated Nistgang clay to fill a further chamber. Here are introduced up to 30 spiders in a brood cell. Finally, the nest opening is sealed with clay.