A genus of small parasitic moths whose larvae live in the nests of bees and other insects.
From Latin Aegyptilla (diminutive of Aegyptius, Egyptian), though this genus is not particularly associated with Egypt. The etymology is unclear; possibly a Latinized name chosen by early entomologists.
These tiny parasitic moths are basically the sneaky burglars of the insect world—they lay their eggs in bee nests where the larvae feast on bee products and pupae. It's an elaborate evolutionary strategy of theft that makes bees look generous by comparison.
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