Dauber

Craig Shillington

Dauber

  1. VIEW LARGE ON BLACK

I think this is a black and yellow Mud Dauber. (If you know different let me know :) )

Sceliphron caementarium

They are solitary insects that build nests out of mud in sheltered locations, frequently on man-made structures such as bridges, barns, open porches or under the eaves of houses. These nests are not aggressively defended, and stings are rare.

The black and yellow mud dauber’s nest is comprised of a series of cylindrical cells that are plastered over to form a smooth nest that may attain nearly the size of a human fist. After building a cell, the female wasp captures several spiders. The captured prey are stung and paralyzed before being placed in the nest, and then a single egg is deposited on the prey within each cell. The wasp then seals the cell with mud. After finishing a series of cells, she leaves and does not return. Eventually, the hatching larva will eat the prey and emerge from the nest.

There are some 30 other species of Sceliphron that occur throughout the world, though in appearance and habits they are quite similar to S. caementarium. S. caementarium is widespread in Canada, the United States, Central America and the West Indies, and has been introduced to many Pacific Islands (including Australia, Hawaii and Japan), Peru and Europe, where it has become established in the western Mediterranean Basin.

(Info from WIKI)


Dauber belongs to the following groups:

Animal Kingdom and Vibrant and Vivid Color Available for sale as

Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints, Framed Prints and Posters

Dauber by Craig Shillington
Dauber by Craig Shillington
  • Sharon Hammond

    Sharon Hammond

    Wow. Cool capture

  • Craig Shillington replied

    I was shakin’ in my boots Sharon ;)

  • Ann  Palframan

    Ann Palframan

    Awesome capture, Craig:-)

  • Craig Shillington replied

    Thanks Ann :) :)

  • Glenn Alderson

    Glenn Alderson

    Wow! great capture mate :)

  • Craig Shillington replied

    Hey there Glenn :) I got so lucky. He just sat there nice and calmly for me :) VBS

  • Erhan OZBIYIK

    Erhan OZBIYIK

    Great MACRO !!!
    Especially the combination with the backround…. :))

  • Craig Shillington replied

    VBS Thanks so much Jed :)

  • Angel Warda

    Angel Warda

    excellent! great macro. love the contrtast with the background and great comp.

  • Craig Shillington replied

    VBS Thanks Angel. :) I made sure I had the f-number set for a nice DOF (the green background is the back of my house ;) )

  • Lucindawind

    Lucindawind

    excellent capture Craig ! he looks like he would give a nasty bite !

  • Craig Shillington replied

    VBS I wouldn’t want to find out ;) But apparently they don’t sting unless they are pressed against the skin so I guess I was safe enough. :)

  • Sharon Johnstone

    Sharon Johnstone

    Wow…stunning macro work Craig!!!!!

  • Craig Shillington replied

    :D Wooohoooo :) :) Thanks Sharon. I actually did something I hate doing … used the flash!! ;)

  • barnsis

    barnsis

    Excellent close up, excellent thirds

  • Craig Shillington replied

    VBS :) :) Thanks Byron and Julie :) :)

  • Cheyenne

    Cheyenne

    Awesome. :)

  • Craig Shillington replied

    giggle Wanna give this one a smooch? ;) Thanks Cheyenne :D

  • Cheyenne

    Cheyenne

    Oh no thank you. :) Your welcome.

  • nesi

    nesi

    Beautiful macro!!!! Love the composition too!

  • Craig Shillington replied

    VBS Thanks Nesi :) Merry Christmas :)

  • bubbleblue

    bubbleblue

    cool image

  • Craig Shillington replied

    Thanks Joy. When I was taking it I had no idea they were relatively harmless so I was a bit standoffish. Now I know … I’ll get heaps more I hope ;)

  • georgiegirl

    georgiegirl

    Amazing photo!!! You brave thing!!! Since I met my first European wasp, I’ve not been scared of any other wasps. They make our big skinny orange, mean looking wasps seem like calm friendly critters!!

  • Craig Shillington replied

    Hehehehe Opps Damn Girl!!! I have yet to come across a Euro!! Thank god ;) You’ll see the photos if I do ;)

  • Gustav Nordlund

    Gustav Nordlund

    Great shot. Perfect focus and I love that green background to the yellow of the insect. :)

  • Craig Shillington replied

    VBS Hey there Gustav :) Thank you mate :)

  • LouJay

    LouJay

    This is very beautifully captured. Well done!!

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