Bark Lice

These tiny insects are Bark Lice, nymphal stages of the Psocoptera. I often find the winged adults at lights. The nymphs, on the other hand are so small (these were 3 mm) and blend well with the bark of trees where they run about very fast in groups (lice-like). The developing wing pads are visible on these nymphs. In nature, they are scavengers and feed on fungi, algae, lichen, and organic materials they find on the bark. They are very cute to play with. Order Psocoptera.