15-8-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - MEDITERRANEAN SNOUTED POTTER WASP (Rhynchium oculatum)

The Mediterranean Snouted Potter Wasp, scientifically known as Rhynchium oculatum, is a species of potter wasp found in the Mediterranean region. It's characterized by its black body with yellow markings, a long, constricted waist, and the ability to build mud nests. 

Classification:

Family: Vespidae (Hornets, paper wasps, and potter wasps)

Subfamily: Eumeninae (Potter and mason wasps)

Genus: Rhynchium

Species: Rhynchium oculatum 

Its Size is typically around one inch (2.5 centimeters) long. 

Predominantly black with yellow or white markings on the abdomen (lower body). 

Builds jug or pot-shaped nests from mud, where it rears its young and stores prey. 

Also known as the Mediterranean potter wasp, or the typical snouted potter wasp. 

It Inhabits the Mediterranean region.

The only Rhynchium species found on the Iberian Peninsula according to Shutterstock. 

Potter wasps are known for their hunting behavior, preying on other insects, which they paralyze and store in their nests to feed their larvae.

The Rhynchium oculatum plays a role in the ecosystem as a predator. 

24-6-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - MEDITERRANEAN SNOUTED POTTER WASP (Rhynchium oculatum)

A widespread species, found mainly around the warmer Mediterranean Countries of Europe and into North Africa; reaching over to the far eastern countries of Iran and neighbouring countries.

R. oculatum, is a large solitary Potter wasp, having an important part in the biological control of many lepidoptera (Geometridae, Tortricidae) Caterpillars, also Coleoptera, (Curculionidae, Chrysomelidae) Larvae of Beetles, which are preyed upon, to provide provisions for their young larvae.

The prey is paralised, then taken to her nesting site, usually the nest is found in decaying wooden holes and crevices, sealed with mud.

This wasp is beneficial to commercial growers and gardeners, as like most wasps, they are a natural biocontrol of garden pests, such as beetle larvae, flies and a variety of caterpillar pests.

Habitat: Many various locations, from dry scrub areas to rich meadows, grasslands, orchards, crop fields, urban gardens and wetlands, wherever their prey and nectar plants are to be found.

4-6-2025 POTRIES, VALENCIA - MEDITERRANEAN SNOUTED POTTER WASP (Rhynchium oculatum)

Maximum size 30 mm

A widespread species, found mainly around the warmer Mediterranean Countries of Europe and into North Africa; reaching over to the far eastern countries of Iran and neighbouring countries.

R. oculatum, is a large solitary Potter wasp, having an important part in the biological control of many lepidoptera (Geometridae, Tortricidae) Caterpillars, also Coleoptera, (Curculionidae, Chrysomelidae) Larvae of Beetles, which are preyed upon, to provide provisions for their young larvae.

The prey is paralised, then taken to her nesting site, usually the nest is found in decaying wooden holes and crevices, sealed with mud.

This wasp is beneficial to commercial growers and gardeners, as like most wasps, they are a natural biocontrol of garden pests, such as beetle larvae, flies and a variety of caterpillar pests.

Habitat: Many various locations, from dry scrub areas to rich meadows, grasslands, orchards, crop fields, urban gardens and wetlands, wherever their prey and nectar plants are to be found.

A variety of plants are visited by the adult wasp for pollen and nectar, Plants belonging to the Euphorbiaceae (Spurge Family), Asteraceae (particularly the hardy common Ragwort) and Apiaceae family (mainly parsley) seem to be mostly favoured.

Rhynchium oculatum is not considered to be aggressive, but If the wasp feels threatened, especially near a nesting site, they will not hesitate to protect their larvae. A sting can be very painful from this wasp and like all venomous animals, a sting can produce a potentially anaphylactic (allergic) reaction for some people. Don’t forget unlike most insects, a wasp can sting multiple times!

13-10-2023 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - MEDITERRANEAN SNOUTED POTTER WASP (Rhynchium oculatum)

Rhynchium oculatum is a large potter wasp up to 3 centimeters in size. It is coppery red and may have yellow markings on its abdomen. The ends of the wings appear darkened.

In the adult state, it drinks nectar from flowers, contributing to the pollination of various species. It lives solitary and builds nests, preferably in abandoned galleries of wood-eating beetles in old logs; In them he arranges various cells delimited by mud walls and fills them with several paralyzed caterpillars as a larder for when the eggs hatch. Once the gallery is filled, seal the exit with more mud and repeat the process in another tunnel.

It lives near watercourses, grasslands, wetlands, orchards, gardens and urban parks. It has a wide distribution throughout southern Europe.