Marcenendius fortunatus

Strangest barklouse I've encountered so far - had to look three times to even recognize it as one. The species list for the Canary Islands (2010) lists it as genus Nephax still, but Charles Lienhard & Baz (2011) moved it to Marcenendius.

comments (7)

Flown Kimmerling

Lion

Oh my! This is absolutely adorable! Posted 5 years ago
1. Pudding4brains
  
  Lion
  
  Yes - it's fluffy and cute :o) Posted 5 years ago

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Is it strange because it's hairy? Posted 5 years ago
1. Pudding4brains
  
  Lion
  
  Hi Ferdy, yes - the scaly wings are very uncommon (only 2 other species in Europe I think). Normally the wings are clear/transparent (have a look through 50Psocoptera ). Additionally this one is brachypterous with some hairy stilettos sticking out to the rear of the wings (making it look even stranger) that I haven't quite placed yet morphologically - maybe these are the hind wings?!? Posted 5 years ago, modified 5 years ago
2. Pudding4brains
  
  Lion
  
  I went back and found another one to take some better/different shots ... seems the "stilettos" are just the tips of the fore wings, that have a bizarre shape as such:
  
  Posted 5 years ago
3. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    Awesome! Posted 5 years ago