Occurrence of the Pyralid Moth Hypsopygia mauritialis (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae) in the Nests of Vespa affinis (Hymenoptera, Vespidae)

Larvae of the pyraline moth Hypsopygia mauritialis was found to be a common parasite in nests of the social wasp Vespa affinis in Ishigaki Island, Japan. Damage to the brood occurred while the larvae were boring through the nest in search of food which consisted of mainly meconia and wasp brood. The moth larvae had little effect on the outcome of the wasp colony as they always occurred in the upper (older) combs.