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Mason wasp

Mason wasp

Pison spinolae

A species of Pison

The mason wasp (Pison spinolae) hunts orbweaver spiders, using its stinger to paralyze them. The adults feed the spiders to the larvae, but the adults eat nectar. The females build nests out of mud or clay, and the nests are often built in crevices near windows or in keyholes. While the females build their nests, they make a high-pitched buzzing sound.

Toxic to Animals
Toxic to Animals
General Info About Mason wasp
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Attributes of Mason wasp
Colors
Black
Gray
White
Habitat
sand dune; crack of building; hole in wood; keyhole; crevice
Adult Food Sources
Nectar, pollen, sap, some small insects
Larva Food Source
Spiders, primarily orb-weaving spiders
Biting/stinging
Not reported
Allergy-causing
Not reported
Defensive attack
Not reported
Venomous
The Mason wasp can induce toxic reactions varying in severity. Nevertheless, these toxins primarily target their prey and predators and are usually not fatal to humans.
Non-poisonous
Not reported
Borer
Not reported
Pollinator
Not reported
Mouthparts Type
Chewing-lapping mouthparts
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Species Status of Mason wasp
It is native to New Zealand. It is abundant throughout tropical and temperate regions, mostly in the southern hemisphere. They are found in Australia.
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Distribution Area of Mason wasp
Australia, New Zealand
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Appearance of Mason wasp
Like all insects, Pison spinolae has a hard exoskeleton, one pair of antennae and three pairs of legs. It has a segmented body divided into three sections; head, thorax and abdomen and two pairs of wings. An easily identifiable feature of the mason wasp, similar to other wasp species is the thin waist between the thorax and abdomen. Unlike some commonly-known wasps, Pison spinolae is not black and yellow, the adult’s body is fully black and has a length of approximately 1.6 cm. The egg of the mason wasp is a white elongated oval shape. The larvae are white with a distinctive head and a translucent cuticle. The cocoon is cylindrical, grey and rounded at either end.
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How to Identify Mason wasp?

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Life Cycle of Mason wasp
Egg The egg of mason wasp is laid either in isolation or in batches. The eggs are generally oval and diminutive, placed carefully by the adult on or near a food source.
Larva Upon hatching, the larva of mason wasp is worm-like, lacking wings and often legless. It voraciously consumes food to grow, molting multiple times before pupation.
Pupal At this stage, mason wasp is encased in a pupa, undergoing significant transformation. Its tissues and organs reorganize, preparing for adult features such as wings and legs.
Adult Emerging from the pupa, the adult mason wasp displays wings and functional reproductive organs. It is fully formed and more pigmented, having distinct adult behavior patterns, focusing on mating and nesting.
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Adult Size of Mason wasp
1.6 cm
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Interesting Facts About Mason wasp
Mason wasp displays unique hunting tactics, such as paralyzing prey with precision stings and using specific tools to construct their nests.
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Scientific Classification of Mason wasp
Class
Bugs
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Order
Bees
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Genus
Pison
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Tips for Finding Mason wasp
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Youth Habitat of Mason wasp
Urban and Suburban Areas, Agricultural and Cultivated Areas, Deserts and Arid Regions
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Adult Habitat of Mason wasp
Urban and Suburban Areas, Agricultural and Cultivated Areas, Deserts and Arid Regions
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How Can You Attract Mason wasp
Since adult mason wasp feed on nectar and sometimes other insects, a sweet solution or small insects can be used as bait to trap them.
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Habitat Preferences of Mason wasp Through Different Life Stages
The egg stage of mason wasp can be located in nests built in sandy soil or soft mortar of old walls, where adult females deposit their eggs. Larvae, which reside within these constructed nests, develop in sealed brood cells provisioned with paralyzed spiders, their primary food source. To find these stages, search for nest entrances on banks, walls, or flat ground exposed to the sun. Adult mason wasp, very active in warm weather, are typically found in environments mirroring their nesting preferences, like gardens and meadows, gathering nectar and hunting spiders. Locating adults involves observing flowering shrubs and areas with plentiful spiders during sunny days.
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When is the Best Time to Observe Mason wasp
The best time to find adult mason wasp is during warm, sunny days when they are most active, particularly in the late morning to early afternoon.
Are Mason wasp harmful?
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The mason wasp can cause toxic reactions with a wide range of severity. However, the toxins are typically targeted at their prey and predators. They are usually not fatal to humans.

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Are Mason wasp harmful to humans?

Although the mason wasp huge, it is not offensive to humans. When attacked, they will choose to fly away rather than fight back. If they are completely irritated, they may sting. In addition, they have the ability to bite, because the jaw is large (but usually not bite).
Harmful Effects of Mason wasp
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Toxic to Animals
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Toxic to Animals

Mason wasp is a species known for its mild toxicity, which it imparts primarily through biting with its fangs in the adult stage. When threatened or disturbed, mason wasp may bite resulting in discomfort and other minor reactions in humans, dogs, cats, and potentially other mammals. While the impact on each species may vary, the mild nature of the venom often causes localized symptoms rather than systemic ones. Different sensitivities occur across species, with some potentially being unaffected.

More Effects of Mason wasp

Beneficial Effects of Mason wasp
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Pollinator
Predators of Pests
Pollinator
Attract Plant Feature
Color, Smell
Mason wasp assists in plant pollination primarily through accidental contamination while feeding on floral nectar or eating pollen. Attracted by the vivid colors and enticing smells of flowers, mason wasp inadvertently picks up pollen on its body and transfers it to other blooms, facilitating cross-pollination.
Predators of Pests
Stage
Adults
Mason wasp is a solitary wasp that actively hunts and preys on spiders to nourish itself and its progeny. It paralyzes its prey with a precise sting, then transports the immobilized spider to a nest where it will serve as a live food source for the emerging larvae.
Common Questions People Also Ask
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