Booklice
Scientific Name: Liposcelis spp.
Order & Family: Order: Psocodea (formerly Psocoptera), Family: Liposcelididae
Size: Typically very small, usually less than 1 mm to 2 mm in length.
Natural Habitat
Found in high-humidity indoor environments, often on damp paper, books, cardboard boxes, and in cupboards or pantries; they thrive in moist conditions where mold grows.
Diet & Feeding
They feed on microscopic fungi, mold, starch, and organic debris found on paper, glues, and dried food products (grains, cereals).
Behavior Patterns
They do not bite or sting. They tend to run quickly when disturbed rather than flying (many common indoor species are wingless). They are often indicators of excessive moisture or mold issues.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: They are nuisance pests that can contaminate stored food products and damage books or wallpaper by grazing on starchy glues. Benefits: They do not carry diseases harmful to humans; they aid in recycling organic matter in nature but are generally unwanted indoors.
Identified on: 2/12/2026