Family PSYLLIPSOCIDAE

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Introduction

The family Psyllipsocidae comprises four genera and 33 species among which three genera are represented in Australia by four species. Three of these species are widespread in stored products, domestic situations or in caves. The fourth was described recently from goods imported into Australia; soon afterwards it was recorded in Europe. Polymorphism related to crowding and light intensity has been reported for one common species which occurs in caves and houses.

Psyllipsocids have long antennae (more than 20-segmented). The second maxillary palp segment does not have a sensillum although a long seta may be present in the usual position of the sensillum. The labial palpi are 2-segmented. The tarsi are 3-segmented without a tooth on the claws. The pulvillus is fine. The paraprocts have a strong posterior spine but there is no trichobothrial field. The pterostigma is not thickened and veins CuP and IA meet at the wing margin forming the nodulus. Brachyptery and wing polymorphism occur in some species. The ocelli are not grouped. The female gonapophyses are somewhat reduced. The male phallosome has anteriorly diverging arms. The eggs are laid singly, have a finely papillate chorion and are not covered with silk or encrusted with debris.

General References

Badonnel, A. 1938. Sur la biologie de Psyllipsocus ramburi Sélys-Longchamps (Psocoptera). Bulletin de la Société Entomologique de France 43: 153-158

Badonnel, A. 1948. L'effet de groupe chez Psyllipsocus ramburi Sélys-Longchamps (Psocoptères)—note préliminaire. Bulletin de la Société Zoologique de France 73: 80-83

Badonnel, A. 1949. Sur le déterminisme de l'effet de groupe chez Psyllipsocus ramburi Sélys-Longchamps (Psocoptera). Compte Rendu des Séances de la Société de Biologie, Paris 228: 1517-1519

Smithers, C.N. 1991. A new species of Dorypteryx Aaron (Psocoptera: Psyllipsocidae) described from Australia. General and Applied Entomology 23: 45-48 7 figs

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