Who would have known… that from the first row of single bedroom units — I guess you could call these the ground floor units — an apartment block would be built above them.
I might have gotten blasé about the Potter Wasps, as I see them all the time, and they had built a variety of mud nest before… but this particular build caught my interest, as it was close to eye level at my front door. Already working on her 4th apartment (she had finished capping the other 3 cells). The beautiful Potter Wasp was now filling the larder for her offspring. She wasn’t too picky on the type of caterpillar she brought back… I guess all the kids will get what they are given… a phrase some of us may remember from our childhood. I am sure her offspring’s would not be too choosy… not like when I was growing up and told to eat my greens!
4th cell of the Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) mud nest filled with prey, Alice Springs NT
Anyway, back to the construction works… Not having to deal with other tradies and relying solely on your own building efforts… this hard working mother goes about building her edifice. Her fifth apartment was up within hours… just for you, I thought I would also use the flash, so you could get a peek at the inside of the unit…
5th cell of the Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) mud nest – awaiting to be filled with prey, Alice Springs NT
5th cell of the Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) mud nest – awaiting to be filled with prey, Alice Springs NT
5th cell of the Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) mud nest.
Now to pack the larder… the child has to be fed!
Caterpillar in 5th cell of the Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) mud nest, Alice Springs NT
Caterpillar in 5th cell of the Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) mud nest, Alice Springs NT
Caterpillars in 5h cell of the Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) mud nest, Alice Springs NT
Packing the 5th cell with caterpillars.
I was amazed at the speed of her construction work, the next day, not only had she constructed her sixth cell, but she had filled it and sealed the cell all within the day…
The sealed 6th cell in the apartment build…
and now she was busy constructing the seventh cell…
Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) starting to create the 7th cell in mud nest, Alice Springs NT
Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) starting to create the 7th cell in mud nest, Alice Springs NT
Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) starting to create the 7th cell in mud nest, Alice Springs NT
Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) starting to create the 7th cell in mud nest, Alice Springs NT
7th cell of mud nest – Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei), Alice Springs NT
The Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) working on the 7th cell in her apartment block.
Well… I missed seeing her fill and seal the doorway of the 7th cell, but the larder looks enticing in the 8th apartment cell…
Filling the larder with caterpillars in the 8th cell.
The ninth apartment was quickly built, a quick flash job (so we can have a sneak peak inside), and now to pack the larder… a kid to be fed!
One of the mud nest cells of the Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) awaiting to be filled with caterpillars, Alice Springs NT
One of the mud nest cells of the Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) awaiting to be filled with caterpillars, Alice Springs NT
Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) filling cell with caterpillars in mud nest, Alice Springs NT
Caterpillars in one of the mud cell of the Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei), Alice Springs NT
Caterpillars in mud cell of the Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei), Alice Springs NT
Caterpillars in mud cell of the Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei), Alice Springs NT
Caterpillars in mud cell of the Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei), Alice Springs NT
Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) filling cell with caterpillars in mud nest, Alice Springs NT
The 9th cell… build and fill… the skills of the Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei).
It was early afternoon and for some reason, I thought I would just open my front door a fraction and peer around the corner… and there she was. I was lucky to capture these shots of our master builder…
Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) building cell in mud nest, Alice Springs NT
Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) building cell in mud nest, Alice Springs NT
Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) building cell in mud nest, Alice Springs NT
Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) building cell in mud nest, Alice Springs NT
Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) building cell in mud nest, Alice Springs NT
Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) building cell in mud nest, Alice Springs NT
Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) building cell in mud nest, Alice Springs NT
Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) building cell in mud nest, Alice Springs NT
Master builder – Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) — click image to view full screen.
After she has laid her larva in the cell and packed it with caterpillars, the wasp then sealed the entrance to the cell.
Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) sealing cell with caterpillars and its larva, Alice Springs NT
Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) sealing cell with caterpillars and its larva, Alice Springs NT
Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) sealing cell with caterpillars and its larva, Alice Springs NT
Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) sealing cell with caterpillars and its larva, Alice Springs NT
Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) sealing cell with caterpillars and its larva, Alice Springs NT
Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) sealing cell with caterpillars and its larva, Alice Springs NT
Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) sealing cell with caterpillars and its larva, Alice Springs NT
Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) sealing cell with caterpillars and its larva, Alice Springs NT
Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) sealing cell with caterpillars and its larva, Alice Springs NT
Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) sealing cell with caterpillars and its larva, Alice Springs NT
Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) sealing cell with caterpillars and its larva, Alice Springs NT
The Orange-tailed Potter Wasp filling the cell then seals it — click image to view full screen
Did you know that the Orange-tailed Potter Wasp often scavenges mud from old mud nests to use on the new. In the following she collects a ball of mud from the old nest (which is actually on the same wall, close to the ground) and uses it to seal the mud nest of the current cell she is working on.
Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) recycling mud from old mud nest to seal new mud cell, Alice Springs NT
Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) recycling mud from old mud nest to seal new mud cell, Alice Springs NT
Orange-tailed Potter Wasp recycling mud from the old mud nest for the new mud nest.
This mother has worked hard, with the day now turning to dust… she is packing in the last of the caterpillars and putting the finishing touches to the 10th apartment cell…
Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) filling cells with caterpillars, Alice Springs NT
Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) filling cell with caterpillars in mud nest, Alice Springs NT
Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) filling cells with caterpillars, Alice Springs NT
Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) filling cells with caterpillars, Alice Springs NT
She finally seals the 10th apartment and maybe her final cell in the mud nest…?
Sealed 10th cell of the Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei).
The next day, it was late morning… there was an 11th cell in the mud nest… soon to be filled with caterpillars then sealed.
11th cell in the mud nest of the Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei), Alice Springs NT
Caterpillar of the Cabbage White Butterfly (Pieris rapae) as food for the larva in the Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) mud nest
Caterpillars of the Cabbage White Butterfly (Pieris rapae) packed in the mud cell in mud nest of the Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei), Alice Springs NT
Caterpillars packed in the 11th cell in the mud nest of the Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei), Alice Springs NT
11th cell of the Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei).
This builder does not rest… continuing to build on her architectural wonder… her 12th apartment (cell)…
12th cell of the Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei), Alice Springs NT
Caterpillars packed into the 12th cell of the Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei), Alice Springs NT
Caterpillars packed into the 12th cell of the Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei), Alice Springs NT
Sealed 12th cell of the Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) mud nest, Alice Springs NT
12th cell of the Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei).
Wow… it appeared to be almost instantaneous, the Orange-tailed Potter Wasp had covered the “brickwork” of her apartment block with a complete almost grey-coloured mud render.
The rendered wall of the Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) mud nest, Alice Springs NT
The rendered wall of the Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) mud nest, Alice Springs NT
A touch-up to the mud nest facade.
Well I thought that was it… a job done, an architectural masterpiece completed… but no… there’s MORE… and it looks beautiful… the 13th unit on top of the apartment block!
13th cell of the Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) mud nest, Alice Springs NT
13th cell of the Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) mud nest, Alice Springs NT
Stocking the 13th cell of the Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) mud nest, Alice Springs NT
Stocking the 13th cell of the Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) mud nest, Alice Springs NT
Apartment cell number 13… master builder Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei).
But wait… there’s even more… the Penthouse…!! atop of the apartment tower, stunning views and breath-taking garden outlook, on top of a magnificent edifice…
14th cell of the Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) mud nest, Alice Springs NT
Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) at the 14th cell of the mud nest, Alice Springs NT
Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) at the 14th cell of the mud nest, Alice Springs NT
Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) at the 14th cell of the mud nest, Alice Springs NT
14th cell of the Delta latreillei mud nest, Alice Springs NT
Penthouse apartment cell number 14… by the Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei).
The Orange-tailed Potter Wasp has sealed off the penthouse and is inspecting the façade of the apartment block. In a couple of the photos you can see the wasp working with a ball of clay as she applies it to the mud nest.
Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) on its mud nest, Alice Springs NT
Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) on its mud nest, Alice Springs NT
Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) on its mud nest, Alice Springs NT
Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) on its mud nest, Alice Springs NT
Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) on its mud nest, Alice Springs NT
Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) on its mud nest, Alice Springs NT
Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) on its mud nest, Alice Springs NT
Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) on its mud nest, Alice Springs NT
Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) on its mud nest, Alice Springs NT
Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) on its mud nest, Alice Springs NT
Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) on its mud nest, Alice Springs NT
Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) on its mud nest, Alice Springs NT
The Penthouse – inspection by the Orange-tailed Potter Wasp (Delta latreillei) — click image to view full screen.
Well what a story… what a hard working mother… I wonder where she is now… maybe building a real estate portfolio… 😀
