This is one of the commonest Barkfly (Psocoptera) species in the UK. I've photographed live specimens in the past but never with enough detail to distinguish them from the similarly common E petersi. This one was found drowned in the bird bath in my garden (Ipswich, TM166450) on 15 Feb 2016. Top barkfly expert Keith Alexander has confirmed that it looks like a typical Ectopsocus briggsi. The details on the right were photographed through a compound microscope and show (from bottom left going round clockwise) the the top of the apex of the abdomen with the two areas of black tubercles with the smaller patch forming a row, a side view showing the steep sides of the smaller patch, then a view of the genitalia from below and a close-up of the genitalia with some of the surrounding parts dissected away. For a key to British Barkflies including this species see here or the RES Handbook vol 1, part 7 by T R New.
I found this insect on a log brought in for the woodburner in the early hours of 27 Feb 2016 in my front room (Ipswich, VC25 East Suffolk, TM166450). The wood was sourced locally and was described as Kiln Dried Ash. Looking at the Barkfly website, the nearest match I could find was Ectopsocus axillaris. Keith Alexander, coordinator of the UK National Barkfly Recording Scheme confirmed the species and commented: "Ectopsocus axillaris is a recent introduction and I would be surprised if it was not pretty widespread by now. It is known from the SW up to Scotland, so it is probably widespread in East Anglia too".
Summary[edit] DescriptionAPI English: Ectopsocus briggsi English: Ectopsocus briggsi Date 21 July 2009 Source Own work Author Sanja565658 Other versions Ectopsocus briggsi
