Very small interesting bug - Graphopsocus cruciatus

Graphopsocus cruciatus

I thought that Graphopsocus cruciatus was restricted to coastal North America because of milder climates but a killer frost and six inches of snow later suggests that they are a tough little monster. Jo Ann if you find this species in western Pennsylvania I would be keen to hear about it.

… Philip Careless, 19 December, 2007 - 11:22pm

This is an especially jazzy psocid (order Psocoptera), a so-called "bark louse".

… Andy Calderwood, 23 November, 2007 - 2:24pm

Thank-you! I have to look up

Thank-you! I have to look up more about those now! ^__^ They surely must like cold weather!

… Jo Ann Poe-McGavin, 23 November, 2007 - 2:48pm

Another Psocopteran

this time maybe Graphopsocus cruciatus in the guide here

… john and jane balaban, 23 November, 2007 - 2:24pm

Yeah! It has to be that. ^__^

Yeah! It has to be that. ^__^ Thanks! Strange to see all these bugs out after we got killing frosts and 6 inches of snow a few days ago!

… Jo Ann Poe-McGavin, 23 November, 2007 - 2:47pm

Found one on desk - Connecticut

Hey! I think I just found one of these on my desk in my carpeted bedroom.

The guy I found is about 6-7mm long (head to end of wings). In the sunlight, the wings have shiny copper-brown thick curved stripes at the ends and more blackish spots near where they connect to the thorax.

It's got long (4-5mm) antennae, splayed at a 120- to 180-degree angle. It almost looks like Ptycta Polluta, except that from the top view, its wings taper to a line, at their tips.

What could it be doing in my house? I left the window open without the screen. I live on the 3rd floor, not very near trees.

… eliskim, 19 October, 2009 - 12:44pm