Common Barklouse vs Cave Bark Louse

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Common Barklouse Cave Bark Louse
Scientific Name Cerastipsocus venosus Prionoglaris stygia
Order Psocoptera Psocoptera
Family Psocidae Prionoglarididae
Size 4.0-6.0 mm 2-3 mm
Habitat Woodlands Caves
Diet Wood Feeders Fungus Feeders
Regions North America Southern Europe
Conservation Not Evaluated Data Deficient

Common Barklouse

A large winged barklouse found in herds on tree trunks in eastern North America. It has prominent veined wings and feeds on algae and lichens.

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Did You Know?

These barklice form conspicuous herds of up to several hundred individuals that march across tree trunks in unison.

Cave Bark Louse

A primitive cave-dwelling bark louse found in European caves. It retains many ancestral features making it important for understanding psocid evolution.

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Did You Know?

It is considered one of the most primitive living members of the order Psocoptera.