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. The type species of this genus is Mallobathra crataea.[4] [5]
Meyrick originally described this genus as follows:
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.
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.