The mud wasp, also called bohawai, is a predatory wasp found on Iokeihiko. They are large wasps, ranging from 13.9–15.1 cm, and have been recorded to fly from May to September. The wild mud wasp feeds mainly on spiders. Mud wasps are also an exceedingly docile species of wasp and common companions to farmers around the world. Stings to humans are only in self-defense, such as if a wasp is squeezed.
Description
In wild wasps, the petiole is black and is about half the length of the entire abdomen. The thorax shows various yellow markings, while the abdomen is normally black, with yellow propodeum. The eyes are black, the antennae are black, and the legs are yellow with black trochanters and femurs. The wings are a tawny grey hue.
In captivity, mud wasps are often bred for specific patterns, or morphs. While most of them are solely cosmetic, some have come under controversy due to inherited physical or cognitive defects associated with the inherited pattern. Captive mud wasps are available in hundreds of different color patterns. Some of the most common are albino, pitch, ombre, croixa, and pastel. Over 500 different designer morphs currently exist, and breeders are continuously creating new morphs.
Biology
Mud wasps, as the name suggests, build nests out of mud. These wasps collect mud balls at puddle and pool edges for constructing nests. As a large species, bohawai have also been known to gather mud from lake and ocean sides. Frequently, nests are built in shaded areas inside formations that are sheltered from the weather or from other environmental elements. These sites may be naturally-occurring, or man-made structures. The nests comprise up to 25 vertically arranged, individual cylindrical cells. After initial creation and covering of the clutch, the wasp uses more mud as a means covering and protecting the whole cluster of cells, thereby forming a smooth appearance, and a uniform nest. In domestic cases, specialized cages are usually required to hold up and protect the nest, which can become quite large.
After building a cell of the nest, the female wasp captures several spiders. The captured prey are stung and paralyzed before being placed in the nest (usually 6-15 per cell), and then a single egg is deposited on the prey within each cell. The wasp then seals the cell with a thick mud plug. After finishing a series of cells, she leaves and does not return. The larva spins a cocoon and pupates. Eventually, the hatching larva will eat the prey and emerge from the nest.
Adults can be seen in mid-summer feeding on nectar at flowers. They have a low reproductive rate. Stings are rare due to their usually peaceful nature; however nests are aggressively defended.
Behavior
Mud wasps are unique, compared to many other wasps, in that males stay at the mouth of the nest to protect the offspring. The male guards the young from intruders, parasites, and other males. The male may also help the female in nest construction. Like other wasps, mud wasps are haplodiploid. The unfertilized eggs generate males and fertilized eggs become females. Adult mothers feed the fertilized eggs more than the unfertilized eggs. Because of this additional food allotment, females tend to be the larger of the two sexes.
Mud wasps were thought to be first domesticated about 30,000 years ago by bee-keeping farmers on Iokeihiko. Insular gigantism, along with selective breeding, led to a large and human tolerant species. Over time, these wasps grew so large that multiple hives became difficult to handle. As preferences dwindled to smaller amounts of animals bonding with the insects became more important, leading to today's population. Now they are popular companions for farmers for hunting ailourya.
Mud Wasps show many characteristics of other domestic pets, although they are still usually used only as working animals in agricultural settings. They have been described as plucky, spirited, bold, inquisitive, hardy, clever, stubborn, and scrappy. They are responsive to their family’s wishes, however, and try to please; in fact, they are surprisingly sensitive. Mud Wasps can be good pets as long as they are given daily physical and mental exercise in a safe area. They enjoy playing with children, but can be assertive with other animals and will chase rodents or insects, so introduce carefully. They love to explore and hunt. They sometimes vibrate their wings on the face or limbs of humans - this is said to be a sign of affection.