Barklice, Booklice, and Parasitic Lice
Order Psocodea
The Barklice, Booklice, and Parasitic Lice (Order Psocodea) includes 435 species across 37 families and 90 genera in our directory.
About Barklice, Booklice, and Parasitic Lice
Psocodea includes ~11,000 described species of booklice, barklice, and parasitic lice. Booklice (Psocoptera) are among the most common household insects, thriving in humid environments where they feed on mold and fungi.
Economic Impact
Head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) affect an estimated 6-12 million children aged 3-11 in the U.S. annually (CDC). The U.S. lice treatment market is valued at over $1 billion per year.
Ecological Role
Barklice are important decomposers that feed on algae, lichens, and fungi on tree bark. They help recycle nutrients in forest ecosystems. Parasitic lice have co-evolved with their hosts for millions of years, providing insights into host evolutionary history.
Families in Psocodea (37)
Species in Psocodea (435)
Tapinella undescribed
Tapinella undescribedtx
Thylacella cubana
Thylacella cubana
Trichadenotecnum alexanderae
Trichadenotecnum alexanderae
Trichadenotecnum castum
Trichadenotecnum castum
Trichadenotecnum circularoides
Trichadenotecnum circularoides
Trichadenotecnum desolatum
Trichadenotecnum desolatum
Trichadenotecnum merum
Trichadenotecnum merum
Trichadenotecnum pardus
Trichadenotecnum pardus
Trichadenotecnum quaesitum
Trichadenotecnum quaesitum
Trichadenotecnum slossonae
Trichadenotecnum slossonae
Trichopsocus clarus
Trichopsocus clarus
Trichopsocus dalii
Trichopsocus dalii
Valenzuela boreus
Valenzuela boreus
Valenzuela confluens
Valenzuela confluens
Valenzuela croesus
Valenzuela croesus
Valenzuela distinctus
Valenzuela distinctus
Valenzuela flavidus
Valenzuela flavidus
Valenzuela gonostigma
Valenzuela gonostigma
Valenzuela hyperboreus
Valenzuela hyperboreus
Valenzuela indicator
Valenzuela indicator
Valenzuela lochloosae
Valenzuela lachloosae
Valenzuela manteri
Valenzuela manteri
Valenzuela micanopi
Valenzuela micanopi
Valenzuela nadleri
Valenzuela nadleri
Valenzuela perplexus
Valenzuela perplexus
Valenzuela pinicola
Valenzuela pinicola
Valenzuela posticus
Valenzuela posticus
Valenzuela subflavus
Valenzuela subflavus
Valenzuela tamiami
Valenzuela tamiami
Valenzuela totonacus
Valenzuela totonacus
Xanthocaecilius sommermanae
Xanthocaecilius sommermanae
brown-banded barklouse
Loensia fasciata
cloudy brown barklouse
Metylophorus nebulosus
house mouse louse
Polyplax serrata
pigeon louse
Colpocephalum turbinatum