Philotarsidae

Definition

A family of small, often gregarious psocids (barklice and booklice) in the order Psocodea, suborder Psocomorpha, characterized by broad, rounded wings with reduced venation and a tendency to form dense aggregations on bark, foliage, or rock faces. Members of this family are classified within the infraorder Philotarsetae alongside the closely related Pseudocaeciliidae.

Etymology

From the type genus Philotarsus + -idae (family suffix); Philotarsus from Greek philo- (loving) + tarsos (tarsus, ankle/foot), perhaps referring to leg structure or posture

Example

Philotarsus picicornis, a common European philotarsid, aggregates in conspicuous colonies on tree trunks where adults and nymphs feed on lichen and algal films.

Related Terms

• Psocodea
• Psocomorpha
• Philotarsetae
• Pseudocaeciliidae
• barklice
• psocid
• Psocoptera

Usage Notes

Distinguished from morphologically similar Pseudocaeciliidae by wing venation patterns and male genitalic structures; identification to species often requires slide-mounted specimens and microscopic examination of chaetotaxy and phallosome architecture. The family is predominantly tropical and subtropical in distribution.