Bug FAQSceliphron spirifex
Sceliphron spirifex · Order: Hymenoptera · Family: Sphecidae
Source: Wikipedia
Sceliphron spirifex is a medium-sized wasp about 17 to 27 mm long, dark black with yellow markings on its waist, legs and antennae. It builds large mud nests on walls, cliffs, rocks, trees and other man-made structures across Africa and southern Europe.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
The wasp has a dull black body, a long yellow waist, black legs with yellow bands, black antennae and clear wings.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
Adults measure about 17 to 27 mm (0.7 to 1.1 in) in length.
Source: Wikipedia
Is it a pest in the house?
Because it nests on walls and other structures, it is often found inside or near homes.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
It lives in many habitats but is strongly linked to buildings and other human structures.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
Females stock their mud cells with several spiders before sealing them.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
Its range includes Africa and southern Europe.
Source: Wikipedia
More photos
Questions people ask
How can I identify Sceliphron spirifex?
Look for a medium-sized black wasp with a long yellow waist, black legs banded with yellow, black antennae and clear wings.
Source: Wikipedia
Where might I find these wasps around my house?
They often build mud nests on walls, bridges, roofs and other man-made surfaces.
Source: Wikipedia
What do they use to provision their nests?
The females fill each mud cell with several spiders before sealing it.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Sphecidae)
Yellow-legged Mud-dauber WaspSceliphron caementariumCan sting
Common Blue Mud-dauber WaspChalybion californicumCan sting
Great Golden Digger WaspSphex ichneumoneus
Great Black Digger WaspSphex pensylvanicusCan sting
Gold-marked Thread-waisted WaspEremnophila aureonotata
Mexican Grass-carrying WaspIsodontia mexicanaSources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sceliphron_spirifex
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · ITIS · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-24 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-22.