Ptyctini
Mockford, 1993
common barklice
Ptyctini is a tribe of in the , containing approximately 6 and at least 20 described . Members are small, soft-bodied commonly found on bark, foliage, and other surfaces. The tribe was established by Mockford in 1993 and includes genera such as Ptycta, Steleops, and Trichadenotecnum.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Ptyctini: /ˈtɪktɪni/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Images
Habitat
Associated with bark, foliage, and other surfaces where typically occur. Specific microhabitat preferences vary by and .
Distribution
Global distribution corresponding to that of the ; individual have varying ranges. Indiopsocus is known from India and nearby regions. Loensia and Trichadenotecnum have wide distributions including Palearctic and Nearctic regions.
Diet
Feed on lichens, , fungal spores, and other detritus found on bark and leaf surfaces.
Ecological Role
Contribute to by consuming and processing surface materials on plants and other substrates. Serve as for small .
Human Relevance
Generally harmless; occasionally found indoors on plants or in damp areas. Not known to cause damage to structures or stored products.
Similar Taxa
- PsociniAnother tribe in ; distinguished by and genitalic characters requiring microscopic examination
- MetylophoriniTribe in with overlapping preferences; separation based on detailed morphological features of and mouthparts
More Details
Taxonomic history
The tribe was formally described by Mockford in 1993 to accommodate certain previously placed more broadly within . The genus is Ptycta.
Notable genera
Trichadenotecnum is among the most -rich in the tribe and has been subject to taxonomic revision. Steleops and Ptycta are also well-represented in collections.