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Bark Lice of Zihuatanejo

ORDER PSOCODEA

-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Arthropods (Phylum Arthropoda)

-Hexapods (Subphylum Hexapoda)

-Insects (Class Insecta)

-Winged and Once-winged Insects (Subclass Pterygota)

-Bark Lice, Book Lice, and Parasitic Lice (Order Psocodea)

-Suborder Psocomorpha

-Infraorder Caeciliusetae

-Lizard Barklice Family Caeciliusidae

-Subfamily Caeciliusinae

-Tribe Coryphacini

-Genus Valenzuela


Bark lice, or psocids, are small, soft-bodied insects found on tree bark that feed on lichen, mold, and other organic debris. They are harmless to plants and often seen in large groups called "herds," sometimes under fine, dense webbing they produce. These insects are sometimes confused with aphids but are not plant pests and do not transmit disease.



Bark Lice
Valenzuela (Genus)

Diet

  • Feed primarily on microscopic algae, fungi, lichens, pollen, bacteria, and organic detritus found on the surfaces of tree bark, leaves, rocks, and dead wood.

  • They scrape these materials from surfaces using specialized chewing mouthparts.

  • Do not damage healthy plants and are considered beneficial decomposers.

Range

  • The genus Valenzuela is widely distributed throughout the Americas, from southern Canada through Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and into South America.

  • Numerous species occur throughout Mexico, including the Pacific coast of Guerrero and the Zihuatanejo region.

  • Most species are associated with humid forests but also occur in seasonally dry tropical habitats.

Habitat

  • Inhabits tropical dry forests, tropical rainforests, cloud forests, pine-oak forests, mangroves, secondary forests, and woodland edges.

  • Commonly found on tree trunks, branches, leaves, shrubs, rocks, fallen logs, and fence posts, where algae, lichens, and fungi are abundant.

  • Most active during periods of high humidity, especially after rainfall.

Size

  • Body length: 2–5 mm (0.08–0.20 in)

  • Wingspan: 4–8 mm (0.16–0.31 in), depending on the species.

  • Some species are fully winged, while others have reduced wings.

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