#psocodea

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TODAY'S FACT IS

Did you know that Neotrogla Curvata is a species of barklice found in Brazilian caves? These are a rare occurrence in which the sex organs are reversed, or that the female penetrates the male and absorb nutrients through his seminal fluid. These are very small insects, measuring about 3mm long, so they can survive on fewer resources in a cave environment.

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Around the House with the Human Louse

The human louse (Pediculus humanus) is a species of louse found worldwide. As parasites, they exclusively inhabit the hair of humans (Homo sapiens). The species is divided into two subspecies based on the part of the body in which they specialize; Pediculus humanus capitis, aka head lice, arefound on the head, while Pediculus humanus humanus, or cooties, only parasitize the body. Both species may also be found on human clothing, although P. h. humanus is more common than their head-exclusive counterpart.

Both subspecies are characterised by a small head, a bulbous abdomen, and legs which end in sharp claws suitable for clinging to hair. They are generally grey or pale yellow in color, although their abdomens may turn red when they feed. Head lice are usually smaller than body lice; the former only reaches 1-2 mm (0.03-0.07 in) in length, while the latter can reach up to 3.5 mm (0.13 in). In both species, the males are slightly smaller and have a more pointed abdomen and longer forelimbs.

Human lice feed exclusively on the blood of humans. Adults have specialized mouthparts which enable them to pierce the skin and draw blood. Individuals must feed at least once every other day, or starve to death. Because of their host specialization, P. humanus have no natural predators, although they are frequently removed by their hosts via natural and chemical means.

P. humanus have an extremely rapid reproductive cycle. After mating, females use a keritan-based glue to attach attach a number of eggs to their hosts' hair; head lice can lay 4-6 eggs a day for a total of 150 eggs over her lifetime, while cooties can lay up to 10 eggs a day adding up to 300 eggs over her life. The eggs, or 'nits', of both species hatch within a week, and immediately begin feeding on their host. Nymphs molt three times and reach full maturity within 2-3 weeks. Males die soon after mating, and females die within a month of their final molt.

Conservation status: P. humanus has not been evaluated by the IUCN. They are an extremely widespread species, and considered pests throughout their range.

Photos

Mohammed El Damir

CSIRO

here's a little Mesopsocus, famous for being nature's take on the concept of little aliens who ride flying saucers. these things are always ridiculous, but they're usually pale greys and browns - the custard color on this one makes it look even more like a fake knickknack a quirky old lady would have in her hallway somewhere

(Sources - 1, 2, 3, 4)

Order: Psocodea

Common Name: “lice”

Families: 69 - Archipsocidae (“ancient barklice”), Amphipsocidae (“hairy-winged barklice”), Asiopsocidae, Caeciliusidae (“lizard barklice”), Dasydemellidae (“shaggy barklice”), Paracaeciliidae, Stenopsocidae (“narrow barklice”), Cladiopsocidae, Dolabellopsocidae, Epipsocidae (“elliptical barklice”), Ptiloneuridae, Spurostigmatidae, Ectopsocidae (“outer barklice”), Elipsocidae (“damp barklice”), Lachesillidae (“fateful barklice”), Lesneiidae, Mesopsocidae (“middle barklice”), Peripsocidae (“stout barklice”), Sabulopsocidae, Philotarsidae (“loving barklice”), Pseudocaeciliidae, Trichopsocidae (“lash-faced barklice”), Hemipsocidae (“leaf litter barklice”), Myopsocidae (“mouse-like barklice”), Psilopsocidae, Psocidae (“common barklice”), Amphientomidae (“tropical barklice”), Compsocidae, Manicapsocidae, Musapsocidae, Protroctopsocidae, Troctopsocidae, Liposcelididae (“booklice”), Pachytroctidae (“thick barklice”), Sphaeropsocidae, Menoponidae (“chicken body lice”), Laemobothriidae, Ricinidae, Boopiidae, Gyropidae (“guinea pig lice”), Trimenoponidae, Echinophthiriidae, Enderleinellidae, Haematopinidae (“ungulate lice”), Hamophthiriidae, Hoplopleuridae, Hybophthiridae (“Aardvark Louse”), Linognathidae, Microthoraciidae, Neolinognathidae, Pecaroecidae (“Peccary Louse”), Pedicinidae, Pediculidae (“human lice”), Polyplacidae (“spiny rat lice”), Pthiridae (“pubic lice”), Ratemiidae (“horse lice”), Haematomyzidae (“elephant lice”), Goniodidae, Heptapsogasteridae, Lipeuridae, Philopteridae (“feather lice”), Trichophilopteridae, Bovicolidae, Dasyonygidae, Trichodectidae, Lepidopsocidae (“scaly-winged barklice”), Psoquillidae (“bird nest barklice”), Trogiidae (“granary barklice”), Psyllipsocidae (“cave barklice”), and Prionoglarididae (“large-winged barklice”)

Anatomy: small body with a relatively-generalized insectoid body plan and soft, segmented abdomen; large forehead; most have chewing mouthparts while sucking lice (Infraorder Phthiraptera) suck fluids through a small proboscis that is usually kept inside of their head; large compound eyes, and three ocelli (parasitic lice have reduced compound eyes and no ocelli); wings, if present, are held tent-like over the body; legs are slender and adapted for jumping; abdomen has no cerci

Diet: fungi, algae, lichen, organic detritus, starch-based household items; parasitic species feed on skin, debris, blood, and/or other secretions

Metamorphosis: hemimetabolous

Habitat: worldwide, in every habitat (even in the Antarctic, where penguins carry 15 species of lice)

Evolved in: Late Jurassic

Propaganda under the cut:

Psocus leidyi

A barklouse found in North America.

Metylophorus novaescotiae - speckled barklouse

Tiny lil baby, about half a cm long :) love the facepaint on these dudes. Spotted evading lady beetles on the side of a garage

iNaturalist link

Either way my little friend is very striking once I pulled out the good camera to get up close shots!

(Sorry if this is a bother I'm just so glad there are people with blogs here who appreciate the discovery of bugs I've never seen before 😭 Our biodiversity in my localized area has been dropping so much and it's been exciting to see how much change has happened since we finally had new neighbors move in who agreed to stop mowing a patch of the shared yard and let things just grow back natural!)

Bark Louse in Ohio:

I mean, it looks like the common Bark Louse, Metylophorus novaescotiae, family Psocidae, to me.

Sometimes called "Tree Cattle".

Really cool photos, thank for sharing.