Elipsocidae

Definition

A family of small, soft-bodied Psocodea in the infraorder Homilopsocidea, characterized by a free areola postica (a detached, hook-shaped sclerite in the wing base) and frequent winglessness. The family comprises roughly 130 described species across more than 30 genera, most inhabiting bark, leaf litter, or ground-layer microhabitats.

Etymology

From the type genus Elipsocus (Greek elipsis 'omission' + cocus, diminutive of psocus 'barklouse') + -idae (family suffix).

Example

Elipsocus abdominalis, a common European species, is frequently encountered under loose bark of deciduous trees and is fully apterous in both sexes.

Related Terms

• Psocodea
• Homilopsocidea
• areola postica
• Apterous
• Psocoptera
• barklouse
• Psocidae

Usage Notes

Distinguished from related psocid families (e.g., Psocidae, Peripsocidae) by the free (unfused) areola postica; many genera are convergently apterous, so wing reduction alone is not diagnostic. Formerly treated as a subfamily within broader Psocoptera classifications.