Sooty-winged Chalcoela
Chalcoela iphitalis
Hodges #4895
Crambid Snout Moth (Crambidae)

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Unknown orange



 
Photos - ©Nicky Davis
Moth at Draper, Utah - Under 1/2 inch, flew off when the flash lit up

Per Wikipedia, iphitalis are parasitoid, feeding on the larvae of paper wasps.  They invade wasp nests at night since the wasps can't see them.  The moths then consume wasp larvae and pupae.  They then lay their larvae which spin cocoons in empty cells.  The wasps don't try to get rid of the parasite but continue as a nest or abandon and relocate

Bugguide  I.D.

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