Psocodea
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.
Aaroniella badonneli
loving barklouse
Aaroniella badonneli is a species of barklouse in the family Philotarsidae. It is a small psocopteran with sexual dimorphism in body size. The species is named after French entomologist André Badonnel. It has a transcontinental distribution spanning Europe, northern Asia, and North America.
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.
Anomopsocus amabilis
fateful barklouse
Anomopsocus amabilis is a species of barklouse in the family Lachesillidae, first described by Walsh in 1862. The species is known from North America, with records from the United States and Canada. Like other members of its family, it is associated with bark habitats. The specific epithet "amabilis" (Latin for "lovely" or "pleasing") was given by the original describer. As a member of the Psocodea, it belongs to a group of insects commonly known as barklice or booklice, though the common name "fateful barklouse" has been applied to this species.
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.
Archipsocus floridanus
ancient barklouse
Archipsocus floridanus is a species of barklouse in the family Archipsocidae, first described by Mockford in 1953. It is one of several species in the genus Archipsocus, a group sometimes referred to as "ancient barklice" within the order Psocodea. The species has been recorded across a broad geographic range spanning North, Central, and South America. Like other members of its family, it is presumed to inhabit bark and lichen microhabitats, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
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.
Asiopsocus sonorensis
Asiopsocus sonorensis is a species of barklouse in the family Asiopsocidae, described by Mockford and García-Aldrete in 1976. It represents one of the few documented species in this small family of Psocodea. The species has been recorded from both North America and Central America, with the specific epithet 'sonorensis' suggesting a type locality association with the Sonoran region. A 1991 publication in The Southwestern Naturalist provided a new distributional record, augmented morphological description, and notes on its reproductive biology, indicating continued scientific interest in this poorly known taxon.
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 atratus
Atropsocus atratus is a species of barklouse in the family Psocidae, originally described as Psocus atratus by Aaron in 1883. The species is known from the United States and is part of the diverse Psocodea order, which includes booklice, barklice, and parasitic lice. As a member of the Psocidae family, it is likely associated with bark, leaf litter, or other decaying organic matter where these insects commonly feed on microflora. The genus Atropsocus contains multiple species distributed primarily in North America.
Badonnelia
Badonnelia is a genus of small psocopterans in the family Sphaeropsocidae. These insects are part of the order Psocodea, which includes booklice, barklice, and parasitic lice. The genus was established by Pearman in 1953. Members of this family are characterized by their rounded, compact body form and reduced wing venation.
Belaphotroctes
Belaphotroctes is a genus of small psocids (barklice and booklice) in the family Liposcelididae. Members of this genus are minute, dorsoventrally flattened insects adapted to living in concealed microhabitats such as leaf litter, bark crevices, and stored products. The genus was established by Roesler in 1943 and has been recorded from both the New World (USA, Mexico, Jamaica) and Africa (Angola, Togo).
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.
Bertkauia crosbyana
elliptical barklouse
Bertkauia crosbyana is a species of elliptical barklouse described by Chapman in 1930. It belongs to the family Epipsocidae, a group of free-living barklice within the order Psocodea. The species has been documented across a broad geographic range spanning North and Central America. As a member of the Epipsocidae, it is associated with bark and lichen habitats typical of this family.
Bertkauia lepicidinaria
elliptical barklouse
Bertkauia lepicidinaria is a species of elliptical barklouse in the family Epipsocidae, first described by Chapman in 1930. It is found in North America, with records from the United States and Canada. Like other members of its family, it belongs to the order Psocodea, which includes barklice and booklice. The species is documented through limited observations, with only 5 records on iNaturalist as of the available data.
Blaste garciorum
common barklouse
Blaste garciorum is a species of barklouse in the family Psocidae, described by Mockford in 1984. It is distributed across Central America and North America, including Mexico. As a member of Psocidae, it is part of a group of small, soft-bodied insects commonly known as barklice or booklice that inhabit tree bark and other surfaces. The species epithet 'garciorum' honors individuals with the surname García, though the specific honorees are not documented in available sources.
Blaste quieta
common barklouse
Blaste quieta is a species of barklouse in the family Psocidae, first described by Hagen in 1861. It is found in Central America and North America. Barklice in this family are typically associated with tree bark and other woody substrates, where they feed on microflora including algae, lichens, and organic debris.
Blastopsocus variabilis
common barklouse
Blastopsocus variabilis is a species of barklouse in the family Psocidae. It has been documented in Central America and North America, with distribution records from the United States and Panama. As a member of Psocidae, it belongs to a group of small, soft-bodied insects commonly found on bark, foliage, and other surfaces. The species was described by Aaron in 1883.
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.
Cerobasis
granary booklice
Cerobasis is a genus of granary booklice in the family Trogiidae, established by Kolbe in 1882. The genus contains at least 30 described species distributed across multiple continents. Members of this genus are small, wingless insects associated with stored products and dry organic materials.
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.
Clinopsocus nigrescens
Clinopsocus nigrescens is a species of barklouse in the family Elipsocidae, described by Mockford in 2018. It belongs to the order Psocodea, a group of small, often overlooked insects that includes both parasitic lice and free-living barklice and booklice. The genus Clinopsocus is classified within the subfamily Pseudopsocinae. As a recently described species, detailed biological information remains limited.
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.
Cuneopalpus cyanops
Cuneopalpus cyanops is a species of damp barklouse in the family Elipsocidae. It is the sole described species in its genus. The species has a broad distribution across Europe, northern Asia, and North America. Adults are orange in coloration.
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.
Echmepteryx hageni
scaly-winged barklouse
Echmepteryx hageni is a species of scaly-winged barklouse in the family Lepidopsocidae, first described by Packard in 1870. It is one of approximately 70 species in the genus Echmepteryx. The species is known from North America, with records from the United States and Canada including Vermont. As a member of the Lepidopsocidae, it possesses the characteristic broad, scaled wings that give the family its common name.
Echmepteryx intermedia
scaly-winged barklouse
Echmepteryx intermedia is a species of scaly-winged barklouse in the family Lepidopsocidae, described by Mockford in 1974. It belongs to a group of small, cryptic insects characterized by scales covering their wings and body. The species has been documented across a broad geographic range spanning the Caribbean, Central America, and North America.
Ectopsocus californicus
outer barklouse
Ectopsocus californicus is a species of outer barklouse in the family Ectopsocidae, first described by Banks in 1903. Originally described as Peripsocus californicus, it has since been reclassified to the genus Ectopsocus. The species exhibits a broad geographic distribution spanning multiple continents including North America, Central America, and Australia, with records also from New Zealand. As an outer barklouse, it inhabits the exterior surfaces of tree bark rather than living beneath it.
Ectopsocus meridionalis
Ectopsocus meridionalis is a species of outer barklouse in the family Ectopsocidae. It has been recorded across an exceptionally broad geographic range spanning six continents, including Africa, Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Oceania. The species was described by Ribaga in 1904. Its widespread distribution suggests either high dispersal capability or cryptic species diversity, though specific ecological studies remain limited.
Ectopsocus richardsi
outer barklouse
Ectopsocus richardsi is a species of outer barklouse in the family Ectopsocidae, first described by Pearman in 1929. The species exhibits an exceptionally broad geographic distribution spanning six continents, with documented occurrences across Africa, Australia, Europe, Northern Asia, Central America, North America, Oceania, South America, and Southern Asia. This cosmopolitan range is notable among barklice and suggests either high dispersal capability or cryptic species status. The species is classified within the order Psocodea, which includes both parasitic lice and free-living barklice.
Ectopsocus strauchi
outer barklouse
Ectopsocus strauchi is a species of outer barklouse in the family Ectopsocidae. It has a remarkably broad global distribution spanning six continents. The species was described by Enderlein in 1906. As an outer barklouse, it inhabits the surface of tree bark rather than living beneath it.
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 hyalinus
Elipsocus hyalinus is a species of barklouse in the family Elipsocidae, characterized by yellowish-black coloration. It is widely distributed across Europe, with additional records from North America, North Africa, and parts of Asia. The species feeds on diverse plant material including fruits, berries, and foliage of numerous tree and shrub species.
Elipsocus obscurus
Elipsocus obscurus is a species of damp barklouse in the family Elipsocidae, described by Mockford in 1980. It is distributed across Central America and North America, including the United States and Mexico. As a member of Psocodea, it belongs to a group of small, often overlooked insects commonly associated with moist 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.
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.
Hemipsocus africanus
Hemipsocus africanus is a species of barklouse in the family Hemipsocidae, first described by Enderlein in 1907. It belongs to the order Psocodea, which encompasses both barklice and true lice. The species has been documented across a broad geographic range spanning sub-Saharan Africa, parts of Central America, and several island systems including the Krakatau Islands and Seychelles. Its wide distribution suggests either natural dispersal capabilities or human-mediated transport, though specific mechanisms remain undocumented.
Hemipsocus chloroticus
leaf litter barklouse
Hemipsocus chloroticus is a species of leaf litter barklouse in the family Hemipsocidae, first described by Hagen in 1858. It has an exceptionally broad geographic distribution spanning Africa, Central America, North America, Oceania, and Southern Asia. The species belongs to the order Psocodea, a group formerly split between barklice/booklice (Psocoptera) and parasitic lice (Phthiraptera). As a member of Hemipsocidae, it is associated with leaf litter habitats rather than living foliage.
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.
Indiopsocus campestris
common barklouse
Indiopsocus campestris is a species of barklouse in the family Psocidae, originally described by Aaron in 1886. It is found in the Caribbean Sea and North America. Barklice are small, soft-bodied insects that are easily mistaken for planthoppers or tiny moths but possess chewing mouthparts rather than piercing-sucking or siphoning mouthparts.
Indiopsocus lanceolatus
Indiopsocus lanceolatus is a species of barklouse in the family Psocidae, described by Mockford and Young in 2015. The species belongs to the genus Indiopsocus, which comprises common barklice found in various habitats across North America. As a member of Psocodea, it possesses chewing mouthparts and is typically associated with dead plant material, bark, and leaf litter.
Indiopsocus texanus
common barklouse
Indiopsocus texanus is a species of barklouse in the family Psocidae, first described by Aaron in 1886. It belongs to the order Psocodea, which includes barklice and booklice. The species has been recorded from Texas in the United States and Cuba in the Caribbean. Like other members of its family, it is likely associated with bark, lichens, and other organic substrates in its environment.
Lachesilla contraforcepeta
fateful barklouse
Lachesilla contraforcepeta is a species of barklouse in the family Lachesillidae, described by Chapman in 1930. It belongs to the order Psocodea, a group that includes booklice, barklice, and parasitic lice. The species has been documented in North America, specifically in the United States and Canada. Like other members of its family, it is likely associated with dead or decaying plant material.
Lachesilla dona
fateful barklouse
Lachesilla dona is a species of barklouse in the family Lachesillidae, described by Sommerman in 1946. It belongs to the order Psocodea, a group of small, soft-bodied insects commonly known as barklice or booklice. The species has been recorded in both Central America and North America.
Lachesilla floridana
Lachesilla floridana is a species of barklouse in the family Lachesillidae, described by García-Aldrete in 1999. It belongs to the order Psocodea, a group of small, often overlooked insects that includes barklice and booklice. The species is known from North America, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain limited in published literature.
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 major
fateful barklouse
Lachesilla major is a species of barklouse in the family Lachesillidae, first described by Chapman in 1930. It belongs to the order Psocodea, a group that includes booklice, barklice, and parasitic lice. The species is found in North America, with confirmed records from the United States. Like other members of its family, it is likely associated with bark or dead plant material, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Lachesilla pacifica
Lachesilla pacifica is a species of barklouse in the family Lachesillidae, first described by Chapman in 1930. It belongs to the order Psocodea, a group of small, soft-bodied insects commonly known as psocids or booklice. The species has been recorded across a broad geographic range spanning North America, Europe, and parts of Middle America.