These wasps are about 1-1/2 inches long; they are black in color with pale-yellow markings on the abdomen. Their name comes from the fact that the female digs a hole and places a paralyzed cicada into it with an egg.
Although usually black, the mud dauber does vary in color. It is one to 1-1/4 inches long and has a long, thin waist. It rarely stings people. The mud nests are often made close to human activity, especially on porches, decks, sheds, eaves, attics, ceilings, walls and under roof overhang around homes and other structures. When making mud nests they leave there eggs inside the brood chamber.
Spiders are paralyzed and placed in the chambers for emerging wasps to feed on.
