The Large Mud-Dauber Wasp (Sphecidae) is an insect of East Africa. It is also called Mud Wasp.

The Large Mud-Dauber Wasp has a large head, round thorax, a skinny waist, and a bulbous abdomen. Its eyes are also large. It has six legs attached to its thorax. It has two downward curved antennae. Its body is shiny red-black or red-brown.

Large Mud-Dauber Wasp

It is one of the largest wasps in East Africa. It grows to about 4-5 centimetres (1.5-2 inches) long. It does not have a stinger in its tail.

The Large Mud-Dauber Wasp is common in warm areas, where it is found near buildings and still, calm water.

It eats spiders and insects, as well as nectar from flowers.

It makes its nest on a wall of a building or on wooden beams. Its nest is made of wet mud moulded in place by its jaws. The nest consists of multiple cells that are stacked together. Its larvae (caterpillars) live in the mud cells. The nests can last many years.

Large Mud-Dauber Wasp

Large Mud-Dauber Wasp

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM