hemiptera nymphs? - Cerastipsocus venosus

Moved

Moved from Psocidae.

… john and jane balaban, 15 September, 2007 - 1:32pm

Cerastipsocus venosus

These are nymph Cerastipsocus venosus; Family Psocidae. They are one of the more conspicuous species in the East. I often see nymphs and adults clustered together in large groups on smooth tree trunks. The nymphs can be quickly IDed by the yellow and brown striped abdomens. If you want to observe them in captivity try keeping them in a shaded cool, moist container with a bit of old tree bark in it. They feed on tiny Lichen and Fungus. They also have the unfortunate habit of drying out fast. If you keep them for a week or to I am sure you will some metamorphose into winged adults (very pretty).

… Philip Careless, 15 September, 2007 - 12:51pm

Moved

Moved from Barklice and Booklice.

… john and jane balaban, 11 June, 2007 - 10:51pm

Order Psocoptera

Hi, Bonnie, nice find. These are bark lice. I don't see them too terribly often but I enjoying looking at them, so unusual!

… Stephen_WV, 28 July, 2006 - 12:02pm

thanks!

I often collect things for some of my lizards so I am always looking at undersides of leaves, branch crotches, etc. so I find some cool stuff. I wish they hadn't scattered as the grouping would have made for some nice photos - do you know if they congregate again? Do they feed on the bark?

… Bonnie Caruthers, 28 July, 2006 - 12:23pm

Clusters

When I've run into them they have been in large clusters on bark. I understand they feed on tiny little plants (lichens, for example) that live on bark.

I have only found one solo bark louse, the rest were in large groups, so I would think yours would probably come back together. Keep an eye open for them. They are pretty photogenic when they are wall to wall!

… Stephen_WV, 28 July, 2006 - 12:50pm

...

I have seen gatherings of these things scattering like a herd of antelope and then coming back together really quickly. Quite entertaining actually.

… Sean McCann, 28 July, 2006 - 2:22pm