Cnephasia microbathra

Meyrick described this species as follows:

♂. 18mm. Head, palpi, and thorax dark fuscous. Antennal ciliations 3. Abdomen rather dark grey. Forewings elongate-triangular, costa gently arched, slightly sinuate in middle, without fold, apex obtuse, termen hardly sinuate, somewhat oblique; brown, closely strewn throughout with whitish-grey dots arranged in series; a very small dark reddish-fuscous basal patch suffused with blackish, outer edge slightly curved; extreme costal edge whitish-ochreous with a few dark-fuscous scales; central fascia faintly darker, posteriorly rounded-prominent above and below middle, and anteriorly with an indefinite projection below middle, on costa forming a semioval reddish-ochreous-brown spot with its costal edge blackish; a fuscous spot beneath costa towards apex: cilia light brownish-ochreous. Hindwings and cilia rather dark grey.

This species is endemic to New Zealand and can be found in both the North and South Islands. Hudson stated that this species inhabits damp native forest. It can also be found near water courses. Hudson regarded this species as rare.

The larvae of this species feed on species in the fern genus Cyathea. They fold and tie with silk the frond tips of its host species to create a shelter. The larvae feed from this shelter and flick their waste out. The adult moth is on the wing from September to February.

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