Debris-carrying psocodean nymph from Lebanese amber

Abstract

Camouflage, or decorating, has been reported in fossilised immatures of different insect groups, notably Neuroptera (Chrysopidae, Nymphidae, and Ascalaphidae), Coleoptera (Chrysomelidae), Trichoptera, Lepidoptera, Hemiptera (Gelastocoridae, Reduviidae), and Psocodea (‘Psocoptera’ or non-parasitic lice) (Pérez-de la Fuente et al., 2012; Wang et al., 2016; Kiesmüller et al., 2021; Xu et al., 2021). Such behaviours allow effective concealment of immatures from predators and/or prey by carrying vegetal debris, soil, dust and, sometimes, arthropod remains on the thorax and/or abdomen.