Psocoptera are an order of insects that are commonly known as booklice or barklice. They first appeared in the Permian era, 295-248 million years ago. They are often regarded as the most primitive of the hemipteroids. Their name originates from the Greek word psokos meaning gnawed or rubbed and ptera meaning wings. There are more than 5.500 species in 41 families in 3 suborders. Many of these species have been described in recent years [1].
They range in size from 1 to 10 mm in length.
They receive their common name because members of this order are commonly found amongst old books - they feed upon the paste used in binding.
No member of this order is currently at conservation risk.
Sources
- Firefly Encyclopedia of Insects and Spiders, edited by Christopher O'Toole, ISBN 1-55297-612-2, 2002
cs:pisivky de:Staubläuse es:Psocoptera fr:Psocoptera lt:Šiengraužiai no:Støvlus pl:Psotniki
