Barklice

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of small insect belonging to the order Psocoptera, often found on the bark of trees and in leaf litter
2. These pests typically have a flattened body and are distinguished by their wings or winglessness
3. Commonly associated with damp environments, they play a role in the decomposition of organic matter

Etymology: "Barklice" is simply the plural of "barklouse," a compound of "bark" and "louse." The "bark" here is the outer covering of a tree, which is where these small insects live, grazing on lichens, fungi and algae that grow on the wood. The "louse" half is the same ancient word that gives us the parasitic insects that infest hair and skin, and the name was applied to these tiny creatures because of their superficial resemblance to true lice. In fact, barklice are not closely related to lice at all: they belong to the order Psocoptera, and they do not feed on blood.