Lepidopsocidae

Definition

A family of small, winged or wingless insects in the order Psocodea, suborder Trogiomorpha, commonly called scaly-winged barklice. Members are distinguished by dense scales and setae covering the body and forewings—a morphological trait unique among psocids that supports the family's monophyly. The approximately 220 described species are found worldwide, typically in leaf litter, bark crevices, and other humid microhabitats where they feed on organic detritus, lichens, and algae.

Etymology

From Greek lepis (scale) + Psocidae (type family of barklice), referring to the distinctive scaled wings.

Example

Lepidopsocidae such as the genus Lepidopsocus can be distinguished from related Trogiidae by the presence of broad, flattened scales on the forewing veins, visible under low magnification.

Synonyms

• Scaly-winged Barklice

Related Terms

• Trogiomorpha
• Psocodea
• Trogiidae
• Psoquillidae
• barklice
• psocid
• scale (integument)

Usage Notes

The common name 'scaly-winged barklice' refers specifically to this family; other barklice families (e.g., Psocidae, Caeciliusidae) lack the dense body and wing scaling. Lepidopsocidae is one of three families in the 'Trogiomorpha clade' alongside Trogiidae and Psoquillidae, though wing reduction and eye morphology vary considerably across species. Identification to family level requires microscopic examination of wing scaling patterns and antennal segmentation.