[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” module_id=”1″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”squiggle-left” _builder_version=”4.24.1″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_font_size=”22px” width=”75%” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_module=”23371″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
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Order: Psocoptera
Family: Liposcelididae, Trogiidae<\/p>\n
Booklice are small insects that do not bite or sting and can be a pest indoors. These insects are usually wingless, measure about 1-2 mm (<1\/10 inch) in length, and often appear as moving white or yellow specks. Upon magnification, booklice resemble miniature termites but have a pronounced head with well-developed eyes, long filamentous antennae, and a constricted neck region. Nymphs resemble adults but are smaller. Although infestations of booklice are often comprised of more than one species, Lepinotus reticulatus<\/em> is most associated with indoor infestations in Colorado. Generally, species in the genus Liposcelis<\/em> can be serious pests of stored products.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb title=”Quick Facts” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_color=”#F15625″ image_icon_width=”36px” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h3″ header_font=”|||on|||||” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”26px” background_color=”#FEBD3B” custom_padding=”4%|4%|4%|4%|true|true” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2023\/11\/Adult-booklice-1-jpg.webp” alt=”bed bug infestation” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” custom_padding=”4%|4%|4%|4%|true|true” border_width_all=”4px” border_color_all=”#F15625″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Adult booklice. Note the well-developed eyes, long filamentous antennae, and constricted thorax just behind the pronounced head. Image credit: Mohammed El Damir, Bugwood.org<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2023\/11\/Nymph-booklice-1-jpg.webp” alt=”bed bug bites” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Nymph booklice. Image credit: Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#F1F1F1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Squiggle” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_font_size=”22px” custom_padding=”||||false|false” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\t\t [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_3_font_size=”26px” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Females lay eggs singly or in small clusters and can produce up to 60 eggs during the summer. The eggs are often covered with a protective silken web or debris. The nymphs develop through four or six instars until maturing into adults. An individual can complete its development in 30 days under favorable environmental conditions, and multiple generations can be produced each year indoors. Booklice are most active under warm, moist conditions, and are commonly noticed in damp rooms, storerooms, or libraries.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Squiggle” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_font_size=”22px” custom_padding=”||||false|false” saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\t\t [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font_size=”26px” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n These insects have chewing mouthparts for feeding on microscopic molds that grow on plant- or animal-based material, including paper based-items such as books or wallpaper. Booklice can damage books since they also feed on starch-filled pastes in book bindings, and large infestations can contaminate food products.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#F1F1F1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Squiggle” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_font_size=”22px” custom_padding=”||||false|false” saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\t\t [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font_size=”26px” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Food can be stored in tightly sealed containers to prevent infestations of booklice. When possible, under 50% humidity should be maintained to slow the growth of mold and kill booklice. Infested food should be discarded immediately, and vacuuming or wiping down food storage areas is also recommended. Furniture, bedding, and other movable furnishings can be thoroughly laundered and cleaned. When possible, articles resistant to freezing or heat can be placed in plastic bags and placed in a freezer at -18\u00b0C (0\u00b0F) for four days or heated to 82 \u00b0C (180 \u00b0F) [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Squiggle” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_font_size=”22px” custom_padding=”||||false|false” saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\t\t [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font_size=”26px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n CSU (n.d.).<\/strong> Booklice. Colorado State University \u2013 Colorado Insects of Interest. Available https:\/\/webdoc.agsci.colostate.edu\/bspm\/Hexapoda%20(Insects)\/Booklice.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n Drees, B., (n.d.).<\/strong> Booklice. Texas AgriLife Extension Service. Available https:\/\/extensionentomology.tamu.edu\/publications\/booklice\/<\/a><\/p>\n Oi, F., P. Koehler, D. Branscome, and B. Bayer. (n.d.).<\/strong> Booklice and Silverfish. University of Florida \u2013 Extension. Available https:\/\/edis.ifas.ufl.edu\/publication\/ig094<\/a><\/p>\n\n
Life history and habits<\/h2>\n
Injury<\/h2>\n
Management<\/h2>\n
Insecticides are available for booklice, but chemical control is not usually necessary. Contact insecticides in aerosol formulations can be applied to cracks and crevices, and fumigants can help control booklice in small storage areas or other confined spaces.<\/p>\nReferences<\/h2>\n