Booklice / Psocids
Scientific Name: Psocoptera (order), various genera and species (e.g., Liposcelis spp.)
Order & Family: Order Psocoptera, Family Liposcelididae (for the dust-dwelling species)
Size: Typically 1-2 mm in length, often appearing as tiny, almost transparent specks.
Natural Habitat
Damp, humid areas with molds or starchy materials. Indoors, they are found in books, papers, food storage areas, wall voids, and anywhere mold can grow due to high humidity. Outdoors, they live under bark, on foliage, and in leaf litter.
Diet & Feeding
They feed on fungi, mold spores, starch (from paper, book bindings, cereals), glue, and general organic debris. They do not bite humans or pets.
Behavior Patterns
Booklice are wingless or have vestigial wings (especially indoor species). They are common in areas of high humidity and can reproduce rapidly under favorable conditions. They are most active in warm, moist environments and tend to avoid light. Their presence often indicates a humidity problem.
Risks & Benefits
Potential risks include contamination of food products, damage to books, papers, and museum collections. While not known to transmit diseases, they can be a nuisance pest, and large populations can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. They pose no direct threat to humans or pets beyond being a household pest.
Identified on: 10/22/2025