about 1.5 years after i took these two photos, i met an expert who, when talking to, reminded me of the never-answered question for the wasp’s scientific name. he immediately recognized the species:
sceliphron curvatum, a digger wasp (indische mörtelgrabwespe in german)
timo (the expert) also told me this:
- this is a digger-wasp that hunts spiders. it builds artistic brood cells with clay, often behind cabinets or bookshelves.
in austria, the species was first discovered in styria 15-20 years ago, now it appears all over central europe.
originally, sceliphron curvatum came from northern india – it was probably imported unintentionally with a load of carpets.
digger wasps [de] usually paralyze their prey and lock them into the brood cell with an egg. the larva will (again) feed on the alive but helpless insect.