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Kōrero: Wasps and bees

Mason wasp nest

Mason wasp nest

Mason wasps build nests of mud in narrow spaces such as under windows or beneath tarpaulins. They hunt for spiders, which they stockpile for their growing larvae to feed on.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Private collection

by Christina Troup

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

John Early, Wasps and bees – Stinging wasps, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/photograph/11149/mason-wasp-nest (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā John Early, i tāngia i te 1 March 2009.

Comments

Aaron
13 November 2014
Do they pollenate Fruit/ vegetables, are they useful in NZ for something?
Jocelyn Langriage
21 December 2013
Hi, I also want to know how to remove the remains of the nest and the stain from curtains and oil skin parkas. The Mason Wasps build their nests in these two places when they aren't being used regularly.
John Early
28 February 2012
Lois: The only way to stop them nesting in the curtains is to keep the windows closed during daytime or fit a bug screen.
Lois
12 February 2011
I would like to know how to stop them nesting in my bedroom curtains every summer. Every time I draw the curtains I am showered by their mud and paralyzed spiders.
Ruth
31 January 2011
For how long do the insects pupate?
Lorna
10 January 2011
I want to know how to get the stain from their mud nests out of my curtains.