Archipsocus nomas

Distinguished from other barklice by its dense sheet-like silk webs covering tree trunks and branches. Distinguished from the congener Archipsocus floridanus by geographic distribution (A. nomas: Atlantic and Gulf coasts from South Carolina to Texas; A. floridanus: Florida). Presence of long-winged dispersing females in summer-autumn characteristic. First instar nymphs identifiable by disproportionately wide heads.

Hardwood trees, particularly evergreen oaks (Quercus virginiana) and pecans (Carya illinoinensis). Also recorded on cabbage palms (Sabal palmetto), magnolias, and building exteriors. Gregarious colonies on trunks and large branches. Overwinters on evergreen trees where frost protection is greater.

Southeastern United States: Atlantic coast from South Carolina southward, and Gulf Coast from Florida to Texas. GBIF records also indicate presence in Mexico, Bermuda, and Cuba.

Eggs laid in spring. Populations increase through summer, peaking July–October. Long-winged females disperse during peak season to establish new colonies. Population decline begins early December; most individuals killed by winter frosts. Overwintering as adults or late instar nymphs on evergreen host trees.

Feeds primarily on small crustose lichens. Also consumes fungi, dead bark, and organic debris.

• Quercus virginiana - overwintering host; egg-laying siteevergreen southern live oak provides frost protection
• Carya illinoinensis - egg-laying sitehardwood tree selected for oviposition
• Sabal palmetto - overwintering hostcabbage palm provides frost protection

Hemimetabolous development. Eggs laid singly or in groups in tree bark crevices, covered with debris for protection. Nymphs undergo multiple molts; exact number unclear but inferred from congener A. floridanus: females 6 instars, males 5 instars. Wing pads appear in third instar females. Not parthenogenetic—sexual reproduction only.

Gregarious but not eusocial—no parental care of eggs. Nymphs contribute silk to web building and repair. Adults and nymphs detect web vibrations and escape from predators (primarily spiders and ants). Communal web construction and maintenance.

Consumer of lichens and fungi on tree bark. Webs provide incidental shelter for mites and springtails, though these are casual visitors with no mutualistic relationship. Serves as prey for spiders and ants. No damage caused to host trees.

Considered harmless to trees and buildings. Webs may be visually conspicuous but do not cause damage. No economic or medical significance.

• Archipsocus floridanusCongener with similar biology; distinguished by geographic restriction to Florida and known instar numbers (6 female, 5 male molts)
• Other Psocoptera (non-Archipsocidae)Most barklice do not produce extensive sheet webs; Archipsocus nomas distinguished by dense trunk-covering silk sheets

Webs are sometimes mistaken for spider webs or signs of tree disease, but are harmless barklouse constructions. The insects are sometimes confused with aphids due to soft-bodied appearance, but possess chewing mouthparts and produce silk.

• web-spinning
• gregarious
• lichen-feeder
• wing polymorphism
• southeastern US endemic

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• One third of Vietnam’s mammals are at risk of extinction