Lice and barkflies (Psocodea)

The order Psocodea has historically been treated as two sister orders, Phthiraptera (sucking and biting lice) and Psocoptera (booklice and barklice). The treatment of both within the single order Psocodea appears to be consistent wtih the UKSI, although the RES wesbite still treats Phthiraptera and Psocoptera as separate orders, so I'm not sure if this change is universally accepted.

My experience of Phthiraptera is limited to the Head Lice Pediculus humanus removed from my scalp when I was an infant. Psocoptera are separated into two groups, the booklice (mainly found indoors) and barklice (usually found outdoors), the latter often known as barkflies. So far I've only recorded a few species of barkfly, which I'm currently working through and adding to this site.

I use the RES Handbook to Psocids by T R New (2nd edition, 2005) which is really good, but I tend to turn to the online National Barkfly Recording Scheme key first. Beware if using New that there is at least one now-common recently introduced species that does not feature there (Chilenocaecilius ornatipennis).

Family Paracaeciliidae

includes genus Chilenocaecilius

Family Caeciliusidae

includes genera Enderleinella, Epicaecilius and Valenzuela

Family Stenopsocidae

includes genera Graphopsocus and Stenopsocus

Family Lachesillidae

includes genus Lachesilla

Family Ectopsocidae

includes genus Ectopsocus

Family Peripsocidae

includes genus Peripsocus

Family Trichopsocidae

includes genus Trichopsocus

Family Philtarsidae

includes genus Philotarsus

I am in the process of working through these systematically, but have only covered the species shown above so far. The following were previously added here on an ad hoc basis.

Elipsocus abdominalis (?)

Loensia fasciata