Overview

Populations of ectopsocids often reach high densities and closely related species are found living together, suggesting interesting ecological situations.

Description

Previously included in the Peripsocidae, ectopsocids are broad-winged species in which the wings are held relatively flatly over the abdomen. They occur in dried leaves and leaf litter, Ectopsocus briggsi being almost world-wide in distribution. The pterostigma is more parallel-sided than is usual in Psocoptera and there is no areola postica. The male phallosome is usually very complex and there are often additional adventitious structures on the dorsal side near the end of the abdomen.

Distribution

They occur in dried leaves and leaf litter, Ectopsocus briggsi being almost world-wide in distribution.