Sphaeropsocidae
Genus Guides
2is a of Psocodea (formerly ) in the suborder Troctomorpha. The family contains 22 known across eight , including four fossil species. Members exhibit pronounced in wing structure, with females possessing reduced, hardened forewings and lacking hindwings entirely. The family has both extant and fossil representatives spanning from the Early Cretaceous to present.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Sphaeropsocidae: /sfɛə.roʊˈsɒsɪˌdi/
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Identification
Distinguished from other Psocodea by the unique combination of hardened, -like forewings in females and complete absence of hindwings. The leathery wing texture and reduced wing development in males separate this family from typical barklice and booklice with fully developed membranous wings.
Appearance
Females have reduced, -like —hardened forewings that cover the —and completely lack hindwings. Males possess either small wings or are wingless. Wings, when present, are coriaceous (leathery) rather than membranous. Body form is compact, consistent with the 's name derived from Greek 'sphaira' (sphere/ball).
Distribution
Extant occur in Chile, southeastern United States, California, Arizona, North America, South America, and Saint Helena. One species, Badonnelia titei, has been transported by humans to Europe and North America. Fossil species are known from Lebanese amber (Early Cretaceous, Barremian), Baltic amber (Eocene), and Canadian amber (Late Cretaceous, Campanian).
Human Relevance
Badonnelia titei is associated with human dwellings in Europe and North America, having been transported outside its native range. The is otherwise of minimal direct human significance.
Similar Taxa
- Other Troctomorpha families differs in having -like forewings in females; most other have normal membranous wings or different wing reduction patterns
More Details
Fossil record
Four fossil are known: †Asphaeropsocites and †Sphaeropsocites from Lebanese amber (Early Cretaceous, ~125 million years), †Sphaeropsocoides from Canadian amber (Late Cretaceous, Campanian), and Sphaeropsocus from Baltic amber (Eocene). These fossils indicate the has persisted for over 100 million years with remarkably conserved .