Asian Mud-dauber Wasp
Sceliphron curvatum
This record describes Sceliphron curvatum (species). Recorded family: Sphecidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
According to Christian Schmid-Egger (Aug 12, 2019: pers. comm. to Matthias Buck), the photos on BugGuide clearly show S. curvatum , not S. deforme (up to this point there was doubt about the species). Schmid-Egger (2005) provides a key to separate the two species from each other and from European species [in German]. BugGuide photos from Quebec (2013) apparently represent the first North American record. The complete range in the US represents several independent introduction events. This species currently is considered introduced and nonnative but not invasive in North America as it neither out-competes our native species, nor faces a lack of predation, nor is associated with the ecological, economical, or public health harms that define an invasive species. These points are quite different in Europe in particular, where both introduced species, S. curvatum and S. caementarium , significantly out-compete native species.
Wikipedia reference for Sceliphron curvatum: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sceliphron_curvatum.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Trigonaloidea
- Family
- Sphecidae (Thread-waisted Wasps)
- Subfamily
- Sceliphrinae
- Tribe
- Sceliphrini
- Genus
- Sceliphron (Black Mud-dauber Wasps)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
native to Asia, introduced elsewhere; spreading rapidly in Europe, discovered in Argentina in 2001 (Compagnucci & Roig Alsina 2008). Scattered US records, particularly centered around airports ( map ). Newly recorded for MN in 2023 .
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Sceliphron curvatum (F. Smith, 1870)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Sceliphron curvatum. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hymenoptera includes over 150,000 described species of ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies. Earth harbors approximately 20 quadrillion (20×10^15) ants, with a combined biomass of ~12 megatons of dry carbon - exceeding the combined biomass of all wild birds and mammals (PNAS, 2022).
Ecological role of the group
About 35% of the world's food crops depend on animal pollinators. The chocolate industry, valued at over $100 billion, depends on pollinating flies and midges. Ants are the dominant soil engineers in most terrestrial ecosystems, turning more soil than earthworms in many habitats.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Pollinators contribute $235-577 billion worth of annual global food production (FAO). In the U.S., bee pollination alone benefits crops valued at $18 billion annually, and honey bees are responsible for $5.4 billion in agricultural productivity. Between April 2023-2024, 55.1% of managed honey bee colonies were lost. The U.S. bee population dropped from 5 million to 2.5 million.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, USDA, EPA, PNAS (2022), US Fish & Wildlife Service. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Asian Mud-dauber Wasp (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Matthias Buck; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , v belov , PaleoJon , bdagley
Frequently Asked Questions About Asian Mud-dauber Wasp
What is Asian Mud-dauber Wasp?
Asian Mud-dauber Wasp (Sceliphron curvatum) is a species in the family Sphecidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Asian Mud-dauber Wasp?
According to Christian Schmid-Egger (Aug 12, 2019: pers. comm. to Matthias Buck), the photos on BugGuide clearly show S. curvatum , not S. deforme (up to this point there was doubt about the species). Schmid-Egger (2005) provides a key to separate the two species from each other and from European species [in German].
Where is Asian Mud-dauber Wasp found?
Range: native to Asia, introduced elsewhere; spreading rapidly in Europe, discovered in Argentina in 2001 (Compagnucci & Roig Alsina 2008). Scattered US records, particularly centered around airports ( map ). Newly recorded for MN in 2023 .