What the heck is this?

beetleman · Post by **beetleman** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 10:57 am

Found this small (about 5mm-.25") insect on my fence. Very hard to place it into any kind of group. Does not look like a true bug. Almost looks like some kind of cricket with the head shape and the long antennae but no jumping legs. Very strange looking (but cool)

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 2:53 pm

You know it looks kind'a like a little "jarfly," cicada.

I'm not sure. You got an excellent shot of it though. Those clear wings and their shape along with the abdomen is what reminds me of a cicada.

Mike B in OKlahoma · Post by **Mike B in OKlahoma** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 4:00 pm

I'd guess some sort of small fly or drosophila, but I don't really know.

paul · Post by **paul** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 8:43 pm

Very interesting, Doug. Never seen anything like it myself. I find Ken's suggestion of a cicada tempting, but then the antennae are quite unusual. Or a grasshopper without hopping legs as you suggest? Another mystery.

Mike B in OKlahoma · Post by **Mike B in OKlahoma** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 8:57 pm

"Cicada" is superficially appealing, but I don't think there are any small flying hemiptera like this. Not that I know 'em all, I don't! :-)

Gordon C. Snelling · Post by **Gordon C. Snelling** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 11:03 pm

It is a Psocoptera Bark lice.

salden · Post by **salden** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 3:10 am

Lice .. well..he is a cute little guy

beetleman · Post by **beetleman** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 5:04 am

Gordon, your right on the money. I would never have looked in the order Psocoptera. I cannot see the veins in the wings that good but it looks like a common barklice...Suborder Eupsocida---family Psocidae. Thanks again and thank you all for your comments

http://bugguide.net/node/view/16192

Gordon C. Snelling · Post by **Gordon C. Snelling** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 6:02 am

Glad to help. It's nice to get it right from time to time.