Bug Identifier
Potter wasp
Community identification

Potter wasp

Eumenes fraternus

Order & Family
Hymenoptera, Vespidae
Size
11 to 18 millimeters in length.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Found in wooded areas, gardens, and near fields across North America.

Diet & Feeding

Adults consume flower nectar, while larvae are fed paralyzed caterpillars hunted by the mother.

Behavior Patterns

Females construct tiny, jug-shaped mud nests on twigs, laying a single egg inside before sealing it.

Risks & Benefits

They are beneficial predators that control pest caterpillars and rarely sting humans unless heavily provoked.