Mud daubers aren't particular about the kind of spiders they consume -- as far as these wasps are concerned, all spiders are fair game. Different types of mud daubers do have spider preferences. These creatures don't just kill spiders, but paralyze their victims and bring them back to their mud nests.
Spider Preferences
Blue mud daubers like to capture and eat black widow spiders. Black and yellow mud daubers go for color, preying on crab spiders or other spiders with varied hues.
How They Work
Mud dauber wasps sting their spider prey -- they rarely sting people. The venom doesn't kill the spider, but paralyzes it. The female wasp does the hunting, while the male guards the nest. The preserved spider stays within the nest until the wasp larvae hatch. It provides the young wasps with a tasty meal.
References
Photo Credits
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Writer Bio
Jane Meggitt has been a writer for more than 20 years. In addition to reporting for a major newspaper chain, she has been published in "Horse News," "Suburban Classic," "Hoof Beats," "Equine Journal" and other publications. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English from New York University and an Associate of Arts from the American Academy of Dramatics Arts, New York City.
