122. Potter Wasp

I learned a valuable lesson this weekend--never clean your windows. I inadvertently killed this beautiful Potter Wasp, Eumenes crucifera  by spraying vinegar where it was hiding in a gutter. As it crawled slowly out, sputtering and shaking, I realized I had never seen this species before. Drying it off and mouth to mouth did not work. 

Potter Wasps are solitary and make small amphora type pots out of mud for nests. Some species of the potter wasps will paralyze a caterpillar (or several smaller ones),  stuff them in the nest where they will lay an egg and then seal the egg in the pot with this ready food source for when the larva emerges. I have now been peering intently at all the twigs in shady areas to see if I can find one of these exquisite wee nests. There are a lot of surfaces on Leaning Oaks in the shade.