Barkflies

[coopder]

I've been doing a bit of barkfly hunting today.

First one I think is Ectopsocus briggsi?



I think this second one is a nymph with its stubby little wings.



While photographing the 2nd barkly I spotted the tiniest barkfly I have seen, less than 1mm in length. Am I right in thinking that the tiny eyes in comparison with its head and lack of wings make this Liposcelididae?




Thanks for the help.
Daniel

[Jason Green]

Hi Daniel,

I'd say you're correct with the first, and your second and third are likely Trichopsocus spp., with the third being very young/recently hatched and the second carrying the fairly distinctive red marking on the forehead. This will become more prevalent as it matures, though you can already see the hairy margins to the wings!

I found T. clarus, recently. Today I saw the biggest barkie yet - must've been 7-9mm! Quite a sight I thought. I am having big problems with my laptop - resulting in the potential loss of 00's of my insect records so I will have to sort that out before I deal with my IDs.

Take care,

Jason

[JRsbugs]

Originally Posted by coopder

While photographing the 2nd barkly I spotted the tiniest barkfly I have seen, less than 1mm in length. Am I right in thinking that the tiny eyes in comparison with its head and lack of wings make this Liposcelididae?



Daniel

Great shot, I know how small they are!

I got one today which looks the same while trying to take a pic of a springtail, they both ran too fast! They were under fallen Oak leaves, the one which I'm finding under leaves is Ectopsocus briggsi with both adults and nymphs. Mine is a little more brownish but everything else looks the same, I think the colour varies according to their situation.

I got two stages of nymphs of Graphopsocus cruciatus with the adult a few days ago, one was about the same stage as this very young one but has a different shape and more colour. The abdomen shape of yours looks like E. briggsi and as you have that I think it could be the same, they have to start as very small nymphs as the eggs are minute but it's more likely to be the same as your second one due to the colour and the fact that it was with it.

Janet

[coopder]

Thanks for the help, it makes sense that number 2 and 3 are the same species as they were both on the same, small ivy leaf.

I've been finding lots barkflies that resemble Ectopsocus briggsi but have been having trouble deciding if they are in fact E. briggsi or E. petersi. The National Barkfly Recording Scheme key says that E. petersi has prominent dark marks on the wing, but this is quite subjective.

This one for example :

[Jason Green]

Subjective - I agree. I think the shape of the dark marks on the edges of the wings are the decider, here. In petersi they are broader at the base, more triangular. If this is the case, briggsi is the more common in my area.