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Mallobathra

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Mallobathra
Lectotype of M. crataea, type species of this genus
Scientific classification Edit this 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]

Description

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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

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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

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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

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Mallobathra contains the following species:[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Gordon, Dennis P., ed. (2010). New Zealand inventory of biodiversity: Kingdom animalia: chaetognatha, ecdysozoa, ichnofossils. Vol. 2. p. 463. ISBN 978-1-877257-93-3. OCLC 973607714. OL 25288394M. Wikidata Q45922947.
  2. ^ a b John Stewart Dugdale (23 September 1988). "Lepidoptera - annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa". Fauna of New Zealand. 14. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research: 67. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.14. ISSN 0111-5383. Wikidata Q45083134.
  3. ^ a b E. Meyrick (1888). "Descriptions of New Zealand Tineina". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 20: 102. ISSN 1176-6158. Wikidata Q63125188.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Dugdale, J. S. (10 November 1971). "Entomology of the Aucklands and other islands south of New Zealand: Lepidoptera, excluding non-crambine Pyralidae". Pacific Insects Monographs. 27: 139. ISSN 0078-7515. Wikidata Q64006453.
  5. ^ E. Meyrick (12 July 1915). "Revision of New Zealand Tineina". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 47: 240. ISSN 1176-6158. Wikidata Q63123349.