Biology:Mallobathra

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Short description: Genus of moths

Mallobathra
Mallobathra crataea lectotype.jpg
Lectotype of M. crataea, type species of this genus
Scientific classification e
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]

Description

Meyrick originally described this genus as follows:

Head with loosely-appressed hairs ; no ocelli ; no tongue. Antennae ​34 in male with joints elongate, strongly biciliated with fascicles (​2 12-4), 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 ​23-​1 12; veins 6 and 7 parallel, 6 sometimes absent (microphanes).[3]

Behaviour

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]

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.[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]

Species

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 , pp. 463 , Wikidata Q45922947
  2. 2.0 2.1 , pp. 67 , Wikidata Q45083134
  3. 3.0 3.1 , pp. 102 , Wikidata Q63125188
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 , pp. 139 , Wikidata Q64006453
  5. , pp. 240 , Wikidata Q63123349

Wikidata ☰ Q10576023 entry