Today I learned more about Wasp Parasitizer Moths, in the genus Chalcoela.

Why do something dangerous like be out in the open for days eating cabbage leaves when you instead can be inside a *wasp nest* eating *wasp larvae*.

Respect.

(The moths are among candidates being considered for paper wasp biocontrol in the Pacific including NZ.)

https://www.bugguide.net/node/view/29597
https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.19811.02086
https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/assets/Events/biosecurity-bonanza/2024/29-July-24-Brown-Biosecurity-bananas-paper-wasp-biocontrol.pdf

#Chalcoela #moths #NaturalHistory #mothodon #Lepidoptera #entomology #TIL

So for #mothMonday, I present this pretty little moth, the Pegasus Calcoela Moth, #Chalcoela pegasalis, the larvae of this moth are parasitoids of paper wasps 😮

#Moths
#Macrophotography
#MacroMonday
#NaturePhotography