| Mallobathra | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Lectotype of M. crataea, type species of this genus | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Psychidae |
| Genus: | Mallobathra Meyrick, 1888 [1] |
Mallobathra is a genus of moths belonging to the family Psychidae, and are bagworm moths. [1] [2] This genus was first described by Edward Meyrick. [3] It is endemic to New Zealand. [1] The type species of this genus is Mallobathra crataea . [4] [2] [5]
Meyrick originally described this genus as follows:
Head with loosely-appressed hairs ; no ocelli ; no tongue. Antennae 3⁄4 in male with joints elongate, strongly biciliated with fascicles (2+1⁄2-4), basal joint stout, loosely scaled, with small pecten. Labial palpi moderate or short, drooping, second joint loosely rough-scaled, with two or three apical bristles, terminal joint tolerably pointed. Maxillary palpi obsolete. Posterior tibiae with tolerably-appressed scales. Forewings with vein 1 furcate, 2 from near angle, 6 sometimes absent (microphanes), 7 and 8 stalked, 7 to hindmargin, 11 from before middle, secondary cell tolerably defined. Hindwings somewhat narrower than forewings, elongate-ovate : cilia 2⁄3-1+1⁄2; veins 6 and 7 parallel, 6 sometimes absent (microphanes). [3]
Winged females of Mallobathra species are reluctant to fly with some being semi-apterous. [4] They drop to the ground when disturbed. [4] The males are active flyers. [4]
Species in this genus can be found from sea level to the alpine zones, and have a wide tolerance of sites and climate. [4] Some species in this genus are common in forest or scrub, with trunk-frequenting or litter-living larvae, while others are found on lichen covered cliffs. [4] The larva of the only member of the genus known from the subantarctic, Mallobathra campbellica, is a litter-dwelling species. [4]
