Investigating Geotechnical Properties of Nest Soils Used by Mud Dauber Wasps

Mud dauber wasp builds nests using soil for their offspring. Properties of soil materials used for nest construction can have significant effects on reproductive success in mud dauber species. This study aimed to investigate the physical and mechanical properties of the nest soils used by mud daubers. About 131 nests of black and yellow mud daubers, Sceliphron camentarium, were collected from five locations in Louisiana. A series of experiments were performed to characterize their physical (moisture content, density, plasticity, and grain size distribution) and mechanical (penetration resistance) properties. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging analysis was conducted to assess the morphology of the nest soils. The test results indicate that mud dauber nest soils are well-graded and have high strength, density, and low-moisture content.