Compsocidae

Definition

A family of minute, soft-bodied insects in the order Psocodea, suborder Troctomorpha, containing two extant species in two genera restricted to Mesoamerica. Members are characterized by antennae with 13–14 segments and are among the least diverse families of Psocodea.

Etymology

Example

Compsocus elegans, found from Mexico through Central America, and Electrentomopsis variegata from Mexico are the only living representatives of Compsocidae; additional diversity is known from Cretaceous amber in Myanmar and Spain.

Related Terms

• Psocodea
• Troctomorpha
• Psocoptera
• electrentomids
• Burmese amber fauna

Usage Notes

Distinguished from the larger and more diverse families Troctopsocidae and Liposcelididae within Troctomorpha by its highly restricted modern distribution and distinctive antennal segmentation. The family is rarely encountered in field collections due to its limited geographic range and apparent rarity.