World's first record of Psocodea (Psocoptera) in an abandoned social wasp nest (Vespidae: Polistinae)

Several different arthropods reuse social wasp nests. However, there is no evidence of their use by Psocodea (Psocoptera), insects known as book lice, which have herbivorous and detritivorous habits. There are 491 species of Psocodea in Brazil but estimates put the number at at least 2,000. The records took place in March and June 2024 in the municipality of Inconfidentes and the Pico do Itambé State Park, Atlantic Forest, Minas Gerais state, southeastern Brazil. Eighteen abandoned social wasp nests were collected, with Psocoptera present in eight of them. Seven nests contained Liposcelis sp. and one specimen of Ectopsocus richardsi (Pearman). Liposcelis species are pests of stored grain, while E. richardsi is a cosmopolitan food pest. This is the first record of Psocoptera in social wasp nests in the world and the presence of these insects is attributed to their search for food. This is also the first record of Liposcelis sp. and E. richardsi in Minas Gerais. Psocoptera are often overlooked, obscuring their diversity and ecological role.