There are about 300 Psocopteran species found in Australia, with about 110 species being recorded in Tasmania (Schmidt & New, 2008). Psocids can be found on or around vegetation and litter, on or under hard surfaces, in caves, nests and in human stored products. Psocids have rounded heads and hold their wings above their body in a roof-like arrangement. They feed on plant material, lichen, and fungi. Their length can be smaller than 1 millimetre and as large as 10 millimetres. The male and female usually dance as part of a courtship ritual. Eggs are deposited under bark or on leaves although some families live bear. Nymphs are smaller versions of the adult form and go through a series of instars before reaching maturity.
Direct family links A-Z
Caeciliusidae Ectopsocidae Elipsocidae Lepidopsocidae Liposcelididae Myopsocidae Philotarsidae Pseudocaeciliidae Psocidae Trichopsocidae Trogiidae
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Edwards, B. A. B. 1950. A study of the Tasmanian Psocoptera with descriptions of new species. Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania 1949: 93-134.
New, T. R. 1973. New species and records of Peripsocus Hagen (Psocoptera, Peripsocidae) from Southeast Australia. Journal of the Australian Entomological Society 12: 340-346.
Schmidt, E. R. and New, T. R. 2008. The Psocoptera (Insecta) of Tasmania, Australia. Memoirs of Museum Victoria 65: 71–152.
Smithers, C. N. 1990. Keys to the families and genera of Psocoptera (Arthropoda: Insecta). Technical Reports of the Australian Museum 2: 1-82.
Smithers, C. N. 1991. Psocoptera (Psocids, Booklice). In: The Insects of Australia Volume I. 2nd edn. Brown Prior Anderson Pty Ltd, Burwood, Victoria.