About Pseudodynerus quadrisectus (Say, 1837)
Pseudodynerus quadrisectus is a mid-to-large sized wasp. Females have a forewing length of 12 to 16 mm, while males have a forewing length of 10.5 to 13 mm. Their bodies are mostly black, with ivory markings that are more distinct in females. This species is a type of mason wasp, a group also commonly called potter wasps, named for the pot-shaped mud nests built by some other species in this group. Like other mason wasps, this species builds nests from mud, creating one or more separate chambers for its larvae. Each chamber is stocked with an insect food source to feed developing larvae. Unlike some mason wasps that build exposed pot-shaped nests, Pseudodynerus quadrisectus constructs its nests inside existing cavities in wood. It will often use cavities that were previously created and used by other Hymenoptera, such as carpenter bees. This species is distributed across the United States, ranging from New Jersey south to Florida and west to Texas. It can also be found in Mexico and Costa Rica.
