Hobbies And Interests
Builders
Potter Wasp is, in fact, an umbrella term for several subspecies. These species differ from one another in many ways, but one of the common factors they have is their willingness to build. Some species modify existing beetle or other insect tunnels. Others build mud "cells" that resemble pots. They then lay eggs in these cells and return still-living, albeit paralyzed, food to these cells, allowing their young to develop.
Hunters
Potter Wasps have a specific method of hunting as well as a specific prey. They feed on flower nectar and small caterpillars, stinging them to paralyze them. After paralyzing their food, the Potter Wasp brings the still-living caterpillar back to its nesting pot, drops it and continues to hunt for more food for its young. In some cases, the Potter Wasp will fill the pot with food and then lay an egg suspended from the top of the cell. When the egg hatches, it drops on to a bed of food it can consume.
Pollinator
Like all wasps, the Potter Wasp plays a vital role in pollinating nearby plants. Although it feeds on nectar, the wasp becomes covered with pollen as it moves around the plant to harvest this nectar. As it flies off, it transfers the pollen to other surfaces and places, allowing the flower to propagate.
Protection
Even thought the Potter Wasp leaves its young to develop on its own, it ensures the larvae is not unprotected. Ensliniella parasitica is a parasitic mite that feeds off the Potter Wasps' haemolymph, a type of circulatory fluid. Some of these mites stay behind in the nest after the wasps depart, feeding harmlessly off the baby wasp and its food store. However, should another wasp attempt to enter the nest, the mites will attack it to defend their host.