Tropical Book Louse vs Dusty Barklouse

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Tropical Book Louse Dusty Barklouse
Scientific Name Liposcelis entomophila Lachesilla pedicularia
Order Psocoptera Psocoptera
Family Liposcelididae Lachesillidae
Size 0.7-1.2 mm 1-1.5 mm
Habitat Indoors Indoors
Diet Fungus Feeders Fungus Feeders
Regions Worldwide Worldwide
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Tropical Book Louse

A cosmopolitan booklouse frequently found in insect collections and herbaria. It feeds on dead insects and dried plant specimens.

💡

Did You Know?

Its species name 'entomophila' means 'insect-loving,' reflecting its habit of eating pinned insect specimens.

Dusty Barklouse

A tiny psocid commonly found in old books, herbaria, and grain stores. It thrives in dusty undisturbed environments.

💡

Did You Know?

It is a major pest in natural history museum collections worldwide.