Barklice
Guides
Aaroniella
loving barklice
Aaroniella is a genus of barklice in the family Philotarsidae, commonly referred to as 'loving barklice.' The genus contains more than 40 described species and was established by Mockford in 1951. Species within this genus show variation in reproductive strategies, including documented parthenogenesis in at least one species.
Alaptus
Alaptus is a genus of minute egg parasitoid wasps in the family Mymaridae, commonly known as fairyflies. The genus contains approximately 17 described species in the Holarctic region, with several new species described from North America and Russia in recent taxonomic revisions. These wasps are specialized parasitoids of psocid eggs (barklice), with some species also associated with scale insects and other small arthropod eggs. Alaptus species are among the smallest insects, with body lengths typically under 1 mm.
Anomopsocus
Anomopsocus is a genus of barklice (Psocodea: Lachesillidae) established by Roesler in 1940. The genus contains at least two described species: Anomopsocus amabilis (Walsh, 1862) and Anomopsocus radiolosus (Roesler, 1940). These insects are small, winged psocopterans associated with bark and lichen habitats.
Archipsocidae
Ancient Barklice
Archipsocidae is a family of barklice in the order Psocodea, containing approximately 80 species across five genera. Members are distinguished by reduced wing venation and small body size (1.2–1.8 mm). The family exhibits alary polymorphism, where individuals within a population may have different wing morphologies. Some species are known to be viviparous, an uncommon reproductive mode among barklice.
Asiopsocidae
Asiopsocidae is a family of barklice (Psocodea) established in 1976, comprising 14 known species across three genera: Asiopsocus, Notiopsocus, and Pronotiopsocus. The family belongs to the infraorder Caeciliusetae. At least one species from each genus has been documented in the United States, though the family's center of diversity appears to be Asia.
Atropetae
Atropetae is an infraorder of small insects within the suborder Trogiomorpha of Psocodea, the order containing barklice, booklice, and parasitic lice. It was established by Pearman in 1936. Members of Atropetae are part of the earliest-diverging lineage of Psocodea, retaining primitive characteristics compared to other groups. The infraorder includes families of primarily free-living psocids found in cryptic habitats.
Atropsocus
common barklice
Atropsocus is a genus of barklice in the family Psocidae, established by Mockford in 1993. It contains a single described species, A. atratus. Members of this genus are small, winged insects that inhabit bark and foliage surfaces, feeding on microflora such as lichens, algae, and fungal spores.
Bertkauia
Bertkauia is a genus of barklice in the family Epipsocidae, established by Kolbe in 1882. The genus contains at least three described species, including the type species Bertkauia lucifuga (Rambur, 1842) and two species described by Chapman in 1930. Members of this genus are small, winged insects belonging to the order Psocodea, which includes booklice and barklice. The genus has been recorded across parts of Europe and North America.
Blaste
barklice
Blaste is a genus of barklice in the family Psocidae, containing more than 100 described species. These insects are small, soft-bodied psocids commonly found on bark and foliage. The genus was established by Kolbe in 1883 and remains taxonomically active with ongoing species descriptions. Like other psocids, members of Blaste are generally considered harmless decomposers in their ecosystems.
Blastopsocus
common barklice
Blastopsocus is a genus of barklice in the family Psocidae, established by Roesler in 1943. The genus comprises nine described species distributed in the Americas, from the United States through Central America. These insects are small, winged or wingless psocids that inhabit bark and foliage environments. Species-level taxonomy has been refined through works by Mockford (2002) and other psocid specialists.
Caeciliusidae
Lizard Barklice
Caeciliusidae is a family of barklice in the order Psocodea, comprising at least 40 genera and approximately 650 described species. Members are small, soft-bodied insects commonly found on vegetation and bark. The family was originally named Caeciliidae but was renamed due to homonymy with an amphibian family. The subfamily Paracaeciliinae has been elevated to family rank as Paracaeciliidae.
Caeciliusinae
Caeciliusinae is a subfamily of barklice and booklice within the family Caeciliusidae, order Psocodea. The subfamily was established by Mockford in 2000 and contains six recognized tribes: Austrocaeciliini, Bassocaeciliini, Caeciliusini, Coryphacini, Epicaeciliini, and Maoripsocini. Members of this subfamily are small, soft-bodied insects commonly found in association with vegetation and decaying plant material. The group shows substantial diversity, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions.
Cerastipsocus
common barklice
Cerastipsocus is a genus of barklice in the family Psocidae, containing at least 20 described species. These insects are commonly found on tree bark and foliage where they feed on lichens, algae, and other organic detritus. They are notable for producing silk from specialized mouth glands, which they use to create protective webs over eggs and dense aggregations. Unlike some related psocids that infest stored products, Cerastipsocus species are harmless decomposers in natural ecosystems.
Clinopsocus
Clinopsocus is a genus of barklice in the family Elipsocidae, first described by New in 1972. It belongs to the subfamily Pseudopsocinae within the diverse order Psocodea. The genus is known from Australia, with very few documented observations. Like other members of Elipsocidae, species in this genus are small, soft-bodied insects associated with bark and lichen habitats.
Cuneopalpus
damp barklice
Cuneopalpus is a genus of damp barklice in the family Elipsocidae, erected by French entomologist André Badonnel in 1943. The genus contains a single described species, Cuneopalpus cyanops, which was originally described as Eclipsocus cyanops in 1876 before being reclassified. Members of this genus are found across a broad geographic range spanning Europe, northern Asia, and North America.
Dasydemellidae
Shaggy Barklice
Dasydemellidae is a family of barklice within the order Psocodea, comprising approximately 30 described species. Members of this family are classified in the infraorder Caeciliusetae and are characterized by their shaggy or hairy appearance, which distinguishes them from other barklice families. The family exhibits a primarily Neotropical and Oriental distribution pattern, with documented occurrences in the Americas and Asia.
Dorypteryx
cave barklice
Dorypteryx is a small genus of cave barklice in the family Psyllipsocidae, containing at least four described species. The genus has a notably wide geographic distribution spanning five biogeographic realms: West Palaearctic, Afrotropical, Australian, Nearctic, and Neotropical, with a 2009 discovery extending its range to China and the Oriental realm for the first time. Species occupy cave and domestic habitats. The genus was taxonomically revised by Lienhard in 1977, who synonymized the monotypic genus Dolopteryx with Dorypteryx.
Elipsocidae
Damp Barklice
Elipsocidae is a family of barklice in the order Psocodea, containing approximately 130 species across more than 30 genera. Members are characterized by a free areola postica in the wing venation, and many species are apterous (wingless). The family exhibits diverse ecological adaptations, including crypsis and substrate-specific habitat selection in some species, and potentially phragmotic behavior in others.
Elipsocus
damp barklice
Elipsocus is a genus of damp barklice in the family Elipsocidae, established by Hagen in 1866. The genus contains more than 20 described species distributed across Europe, North Africa, and parts of North America. These insects are small, soft-bodied psocopterans associated with moist habitats on bark and vegetation.
Epipsocidae
Elliptical Barklice
Epipsocidae is a family of barklice (Psocodea: Psocomorpha) comprising 16 genera and over 140 species. The family is primarily tropical in distribution, with the notable exception of the European endemic Bertkauia lucifuga, which is almost always apterous. Epipsocids share diagnostic morphological features with other members of the infraorder Epipsocetae, including a labrum with two sclerotized ridges and a hairy ventral surface of the forewing.
Epipsocus
Epipsocus is a genus of barklice in the family Epipsocidae, characterized by broad, rounded wings with distinctive venation patterns. Members of this genus are small, soft-bodied insects found primarily in tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. The genus was established by Hermann Hagen in 1866 and remains taxonomically stable.
Graphopsocus
Graphopsocus is a genus of barklice in the family Stenopsocidae, order Psocodea. These small insects are characterized by their flattened bodies and broad, rounded wings that are held roof-like over the body when at rest. The genus includes both native and introduced species, with at least one species, Graphopsocus cruciatus, having established populations outside its native European range. Barklice in this genus feed on microflora such as algae, lichens, and fungi growing on plant surfaces.
Hemipsocidae
Leaf Litter Barklice
Hemipsocidae is a family of small insects in the order Psocodea, commonly known as leaf litter barklice. The family contains 24 species across three genera: Anopistoscena, Hemipsocus, and Metahemipsocus. Members are distinguished by specific wing venation characters including the areola postica joined to the M vein by a crossvein and a two-branched M vein.
Heterocaecilius
Heterocaecilius is a genus of barklice in the family Pseudocaeciliidae, established by Lee and Thornton in 1967. Members of this genus belong to the order Psocodea, a group of small, often overlooked insects commonly found on vegetation and bark. The genus has been recorded from multiple regions including the United States, Japan, and Malaysia.
Indiopsocus
common barklice
Indiopsocus is a genus of common barklice in the family Psocidae, containing more than 30 described species. These small insects are found primarily in the Americas, with records from the United States through Central America. As members of Psocidae, they inhabit terrestrial environments where they feed on organic detritus. The genus was established by Mockford in 1974.
Lachesilla forcepeta
fateful barklouse
Lachesilla forcepeta is a species of barklouse described by Chapman in 1930. It belongs to the family Lachesillidae, a group of small, soft-bodied insects commonly known as fateful barklice. The species is recorded from both Central America and North America. Barklice in this family are generally found in association with dead plant material and bark.
Lachesilla tectorum
Lachesilla tectorum is a species of barklouse in the family Lachesillidae, described by Badonnel in 1931. It was originally described as endemic to the Canary Islands, though GBIF records indicate a much broader global distribution including Africa, the Americas, Australia, and the Pacific. The species belongs to the order Psocodea, a group of small, often overlooked insects commonly found in association with dead plant material.
Lachesillidae
Fateful Barklice
Lachesillidae is a family of barklice within the order Psocodea (formerly Psocoptera), suborder Psocomorpha. The family contains more than 400 species across 26 genera, with the majority belonging to the genus Lachesilla. Members are characterized by distinctive wing venation featuring a rounded, free areola postica, and males exhibit diverse sclerotized genitalic structures.
Lichenomima
mouse-like barklice
Lichenomima is a genus of psocopterans in the family Myopsocidae, commonly referred to as 'mouse-like barklice.' The genus was established by Enderlein in 1910 and contains more than 40 described species. These insects are part of the diverse barklice fauna associated with tree bark and lichen habitats.
Lithoseopsis
barklice
Lithoseopsis is a genus of tropical barklice in the family Amphientomidae, containing approximately 10 described species. The genus was established by Mockford in 1993 and is primarily distributed in tropical regions of the Americas. A 2018 study described the first South American species from Brazil, expanding the known range beyond Central America and the Caribbean. Species are distinguished by forewing pigmentation patterns and details of the spermapore sclerite.
Loensia
barklice
Loensia is a genus of barklice in the family Psocidae, established by Enderlein in 1924. The genus contains more than 30 described species distributed across temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Members are small, soft-bodied insects commonly found on tree bark and in leaf litter.
Loensia
Maoripsocus
lizard barklice
Maoripsocus is a genus of barklice in the family Caeciliusidae, first described by Robin Tillyard in 1923. The genus comprises at least 21 described species, all commonly referred to as lizard barklice. Members of this genus are small, soft-bodied insects found in the order Psocodea. The genus is classified within the tribe Maoripsocini.
Mesopsocidae
Middle Barklice
Mesopsocidae is a family of barklice within the order Psocodea, suborder Psocomorpha. The family contains over 70 described species and is distinguished by a key morphological feature: a free areola postica in the wing venation. Members are small, soft-bodied insects commonly found in association with vegetation and bark surfaces.
Mesopsocus
Mesopsocus is a genus of barklice (Psocodea: Mesopsocidae) comprising more than 60 described species. Members are small, soft-bodied insects that inhabit bark surfaces and tree trunks, where they feed on epiphytic growths. The genus has been studied for its ecological dynamics, including niche partitioning among coexisting species and industrial melanism in response to pollution. Some species serve as hosts for parasitoid wasps in the family Mymaridae.
Metylophorus
common barklice
Metylophorus is a genus of barklice in the family Psocidae, established by Pearman in 1932. The genus contains at least 50 described species distributed across multiple continents. As members of Psocidae, these insects are commonly found in association with tree bark and other woody substrates. The genus is taxonomically placed in the tribe Metylophorini within the subfamily Psocinae.
Myopsocus
Myopsocus is a genus of barklice in the family Myopsocidae, established by Hagen in 1866. Members of this genus are small, soft-bodied insects that inhabit tropical and subtropical regions. The genus is distinguished by specific wing venation patterns and genitalic structures. Myopsocus species are found in the Americas and Pacific islands, with records from the United States to Fiji.
Nanopsocus
Nanopsocus is a genus of thick barklice in the family Pachytroctidae, established by Pearman in 1928. The genus comprises five described species distributed primarily in tropical and subtropical regions, with records from Malaysia and oceanic islands. Members of this genus are small, cryptic insects associated with bark and decaying plant material. Like other Pachytroctidae, they are part of the diverse psocopteran fauna that inhabits forest microhabitats.
Neolepolepis
Neolepolepis is a genus of scaly-winged barklice in the family Lepidopsocidae, established by Mockford in 1993. The genus contains at least four described species distributed across the Caribbean and Central America. Members of this genus are characterized by their scale-covered wings, a defining trait of the family Lepidopsocidae. These insects are part of the order Psocodea, which includes barklice, booklice, and parasitic lice.
Ophiodopelma
Ophiodopelma is a genus of barklice in the family Pseudocaeciliidae, first described by Enderlein in 1908. It belongs to the order Psocodea, a group of small, often overlooked insects commonly known as booklice, barklice, and true lice. The genus is known from Japan, though detailed biological information remains limited. As a member of Pseudocaeciliidae, it is presumed to inhabit bark or foliage environments where these insects typically feed on lichens, algae, or detritus.
Peripsocidae
Stout Barklice
Peripsocidae is a family of barklice within the order Psocodea, suborder Psocomorpha. The family contains over 300 species distributed across 12 genera, with many recently described genera closely allied to the type genus Peripsocus. Members are characterized by wing venation lacking an areola postica, a diagnostic feature distinguishing them from related families. The family has a broad geographic distribution spanning the Oriental region, East Africa, Australia, and northern Europe.
Peripsocus
Peripsocus is a genus of barklice (order Psocodea) comprising over 250 described species. Members are characterized by their stout body form compared to other barklice. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution across six continents. Species in this genus are associated with bark and lichen habitats.
Peritroctes
Peritroctes is a genus of small, wingless insects in the family Pachytroctidae, order Psocodea. Members of this genus are classified within the barklice and booklice group, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented. The genus was established by Ribaga in 1911 and is currently recognized as valid. Distribution records indicate presence in Mexico.
Philotarsidae
Loving Barklice
Philotarsidae is a family of barklice within the order Psocodea, comprising approximately 150 species across eight recognized genera. The family belongs to the infraorder Philotarsetae and is closely related to Pseudocaeciliidae and Calopsocidae. A revised classification recognizes two subfamilies: Philotarsinae (tribes Philotarsini and Aaroniellini) and Zelandopsocinae. The family has been extensively studied for its systematics, phylogeny, and biogeographic patterns, particularly in relation to plate tectonics and historical fragmentation in the southwest Pacific.
Philotarsus
loving barklice
Philotarsus is a genus of barklice in the family Philotarsidae, containing approximately 18 described species. These insects are commonly known as 'loving barklice,' a name shared with related genera in the family. The genus was established by Kolbe in 1880 and is distributed across parts of North and Central America.
Polypsocus
hairy-winged barklice
Polypsocus is a genus of hairy-winged barklice in the family Amphipsocidae, established by Hagen in 1866. The genus contains more than 20 described species distributed primarily in the Americas. These insects are small, soft-bodied psocids associated with bark and lichen habitats. They are part of the diverse Psocodea order, which includes booklice, barklice, and parasitic lice.
Pseudocaecilius
false lizard barklice
Pseudocaecilius is a genus of false lizard barklice comprising more than 50 described species. The genus belongs to the family Pseudocaeciliidae and occurs across tropical and subtropical regions. At least one species, P. citricola, constructs silken webs on leaf surfaces where egg-batches are deposited. The genus has been recorded from the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and Asia.
Pseudorypteryx
Pseudorypteryx is a monotypic genus of cave-dwelling barklice in the family Psyllipsocidae, erected by García-Aldrete in 1984. The genus contains a single described species, Pseudorypteryx mexicana. Members of this genus are troglobitic, meaning they are specialized for life in cave environments.
Psocidae
Common Barklice
Psocidae is a family of barklice in the order Psocodea, distinguished by diagnostic wing venation where the areola postica is fused to the M-vein, forming a discoidal cell. The family contains approximately 86 genera and is widespread globally, with documented diversity in East Africa, Southeast Asia, Melanesia, and the Americas. Psocidae is closely related to Myopsocidae. Many species are arboreal, though specific ecological roles remain understudied.
Psocini
Psocini is a tribe of barklice within the family Psocidae, established by Hagen in 1865. Members of this tribe are small, soft-bodied insects commonly found on tree bark, foliage, and other surfaces where they feed on microflora. The tribe contains multiple genera and is part of the diverse Psocomorpha suborder. Psocini species are generally recognized by their wing venation patterns and body proportions, though precise boundaries between related tribes require detailed morphological examination.