Hornet/wasp identification - Ask Extension
Good Morning,
I have black hornets/wasps that like to congregate on top of my fuschia plant, particularly the black plastic handle. They don’t act ...
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Hornet/wasp identification #874576
Asked June 25, 2024, 9:02 AM EDT
Good Morning,
I have black hornets/wasps that like to congregate on top of my fuschia plant, particularly the black plastic handle. They don’t act aggressively when I water the plant but they are still a little unnerving! I was wondering if you could identify them for me.
Thank you!
Frederick County Maryland
Expert Response
That's a beautiful plant!
We are glad to answer your question because there is no reason to be unnerved about those beautiful blue, beneficial wasps.
It's hard to tell but they may be mud-daubers, which you may notice flying low over lawns looking to help control grubs.
Either way, they are solitary bees, meaning that they don't have a communal hive to protect and so are docile and won't bother you. Sometimes the males congregate- they have the time, because it is the female that usually does all the work reproducing the young.
Here is our Mud Dauber page:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/mud-daubers/
and another from USDA: from https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/pollinators/pollinator-of-the-month/blue-mud-wasp.shtml#:~:text=Well%20the%20answer%20is%20no,of%20this%20bright%20blue%20wasp.
Christine
We are glad to answer your question because there is no reason to be unnerved about those beautiful blue, beneficial wasps.
It's hard to tell but they may be mud-daubers, which you may notice flying low over lawns looking to help control grubs.
Either way, they are solitary bees, meaning that they don't have a communal hive to protect and so are docile and won't bother you. Sometimes the males congregate- they have the time, because it is the female that usually does all the work reproducing the young.
Here is our Mud Dauber page:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/mud-daubers/
and another from USDA: from https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/pollinators/pollinator-of-the-month/blue-mud-wasp.shtml#:~:text=Well%20the%20answer%20is%20no,of%20this%20bright%20blue%20wasp.
Christine
Thank you, I did not want to spray them with wasp killer!
Sent from my iPhone
You're welcome!
