Troctopsocidae

Definition

A family of small, scavenging psocids (order Psocodea, suborder Troctomorpha) comprising seven recognized genera. Members of this family are typically found in leaf litter, under bark, or in other decaying plant matter where they feed on microfungi, lichen fragments, and detritus. Troctopsocidae share the reduced wing venation and broad, rounded head characteristic of many troctomorph lineages.

Etymology

Example

Specimens of the genus Troctopsocus, the type genus of Troctopsocidae, are frequently encountered in Berlese funnel extractions of temperate forest litter.

Related Terms

• Psocodea
• Troctomorpha
• Psocoptera
• Psocidae
• Liposcelididae
• Troctopsocus

Usage Notes

Troctopsocidae is one of several families historically grouped within the paraphyletic 'Psocoptera' (now Psocodea: Psocomorpha + Troctomorpha). The family is distinguished from the morphologically similar Liposcelididae by details of pretarsal structure and phallic sclerites in males, features requiring microscopic examination. The seven genera are not all equally sampled; tropical diversity remains poorly documented.