Egg - Psyllipsocus decoratus

Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Barklice, Booklice, and Parasitic Lice (Psocodea) » Trogiomorpha » Psocathropetae » Cave Barklice (Psyllipsocidae) » Psyllipsocus » Psyllipsocus decoratus

Photo#2189968

Copyright © 2022 John Schneider

Egg - Psyllipsocus decoratus

Houston, Harris County, Texas, USA
September 19, 2022

One of 25+ eggs laid in captivity, by one female over a few days, on a piece of stone tile. The black material is fungus and/or mold on which this species apparently feeds. Most of the eggs are, like this one, tucked into nooks or hollows in the substrate. They are laid singly and without a silk covering.

Second image is same as first, but zoomed out.

Images of this individual: tag all

Contributed by John Schneider on 23 October, 2022 - 10:51am
Last updated 16 December, 2023 - 8:35pm

Wow!

I hope you can soon get non-sibling males & females for courtship studies!!

… Diane Young, 23 October, 2022 - 3:12pm

Re: Psyllipsocus courtship and mating

Non-siblings? Do insects care?

… John Schneider, 23 October, 2022 - 4:31pm

Nice picture!

Very probably insects don't, but Mother Nature does, that is the reason why Mother Nature 'invented' sexual reproduction. It's about genetic problems and advantages.
Maybe, it will be interesting to observe the behavior between siblings and non-siblings. And, by the case to observe the descendants. Normally in the case of a community where siblings mate degeneration occurs.
A first question. Siblings will mate or not?

… Iustin Cret, 12 November, 2022 - 8:35am

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2024 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by: