Booklice
Guides
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.
Embidopsocus
booklice
Embidopsocus is a genus of booklice (Psocodea: Liposcelididae) first described by Hagen in 1866. The genus contains more than 40 described species distributed across multiple continents. Members are small, wingless insects commonly associated with stored products, leaf litter, and other organic debris. They are part of the broader group of psocids often referred to as booklice or barklice, though Liposcelididae are more frequently found in dry, disturbed habitats than their bark-dwelling relatives.
Liposcelis fusciceps
Liposcelis fusciceps is a species of booklice in the family Liposcelididae, described by Badonnel in 1968. Species in this genus are among the smallest insects, typically measuring about 1 mm in length. They are commonly associated with stored products and human dwellings. The genus Liposcelis is widespread and includes numerous species that are significant pantry pests.
Liposcelis pallida
Liposcelis pallida is a species of booklice in the family Liposcelididae, described by Mockford in 1978. It belongs to a genus commonly associated with stored products and household environments. The species has been documented in the United States and Mexico.
Loensia
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 parviceps
Philotarsus parviceps is a species of barklouse in the family Philotarsidae, described by Roesler in 1954. It belongs to the order Psocodea, a group of small insects commonly known as booklice, barklice, and true lice. As a member of the subfamily Philotarsinae, it is part of a lineage of free-living barklice that inhabit vegetation and tree bark rather than parasitic lifestyles. The species has been documented through 152 observations on iNaturalist, indicating it is not uncommon where it occurs, though detailed biological studies remain limited.
Psocodea
bark lice, book lice, parasitic lice, barklice, booklice
Psocodea is an order of insects comprising approximately 11,000 species across three extant suborders: Trogiomorpha, Troctomorpha, and Psocomorpha. The group includes free-living barklice and booklice, as well as the parasitic lice (formerly Phthiraptera). Molecular and morphological evidence demonstrates that parasitic lice evolved from within the barklice lineage, rendering the former order 'Psocoptera' paraphyletic. Members range from 1–10 mm in length and occupy diverse habitats from forest canopies to stored products.
Soa
Soa is a genus of booklice in the family Lepidopsocidae, order Psocodea. These small, wingless insects inhabit sheltered microhabitats and feed on organic debris. The genus was established by Enderlein in 1904 and is currently accepted in modern classifications.
Speleketor
Speleketor is a genus of large-winged psocids (booklice/barklice) in the family Prionoglarididae. The genus was established by Gurney in 1943 and contains at least three described species. Members are found in the southwestern United States. Psocids in this genus are characterized by relatively large wings compared to body size, distinguishing them from many related taxa.
Sphaeropsocus
Sphaeropsocus is a genus of small psocopterans in the family Sphaeropsocidae, first described by Hagen in 1882. It belongs to the suborder Troctomorpha, a group of barklice and booklice characterized by specialized mouthpart structures. The genus is part of a small family containing few described species, most of which are rarely encountered. Members of this genus are minute insects associated with dead plant material and organic debris.