Dolabellopsocidae

Definition

A family of barklice and booklice (order Psocodea, suborder Psocomorpha, infraorder Epipsocetae) distinguished by a labrum bearing two sclerotized ridges, a synapomorphy shared with other epipsocid groups. The family comprises more than 40 described species in three genera—Isthmopsocus, Dolabellopsocus, and Auroropsocus—and was established by Eertmoed in 1973. Members are typically found in tropical and subtropical forest habitats where they feed on lichens, algae, and detritus on bark and foliage.

Etymology

Example

A canopy fogging sample from lowland Amazonian forest might yield multiple Dolabellopsocidae species, with Dolabellopsocus species recognizable by their distinctive wing venation and the paired sclerotized ridges on the labrum visible under magnification.

Related Terms

• Psocodea
• Psocomorpha
• Epipsocetae
• barklice
• Labrum
• epipsocid
• Isthmopsocus
• Dolabellopsocus
• Auroropsocus

Usage Notes

The family is one of several small epipsocid families distinguished primarily by subtle differences in mouthpart sclerotization and wing venation; identification to genus requires examination of the labral structure and forewing areola postica shape. The name is sometimes misspelled 'Dolabellopsocidae' in older literature.