Mallobathra


Mallobathra is a genus of moths belonging to the family Psychidae, and are bagworm moths. This genus was first described by Edward Meyrick. It is endemic to New Zealand. The type species of this genus is Mallobathra crataea.

Description

Meyrick originally described this genus as follows:

Behaviour

Winged females of Mallobathra species are reluctant to fly with some being semi-apterous. They drop to the ground when disturbed. The males are active flyers.

Habitat and hosts

Species in this genus can be found from sea level to the alpine zones, and have a wide tolerance of sites and climate. 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. The larva of the only member of the genus known from the subantarctic, Mallobathra campbellica, is a litter-dwelling species.