Elipsocus hyalinus

This Elipsocus that I identify to species most often, though that may be due to the difficulty in identifying males of the other species. In this species males are not known in the UK, so presumably all the insects shown on this page are female. I have only captioned them as such if I have examined their genitalia (which isn't strictly necessary to confirm the identification, though it can help to make sure it's a female if the wing pattern isn't entirely clear).

Elipsocus hyalinus, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 4th August 2019

female Elipsocus hyalinus showing head, forewing and tip of abdomen from both sides, Bintree Wood (Norfolk, UK), 20th May 2026

female Elipsocus hyalinus showing head, forewing and tip of abdomen, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 24th October 2026

female Elipsocus hyalinus, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 21st August 2020

female Elipsocus hyalinus, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 25th August 2020

female Elipsocus hyalinus, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 27th September 2020

female Elipsocus hyalinus showing epiproct, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 4th November 2023

female Elipsocus hyalinus showing head and forewing, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 7th August 2025

female Elipsocus hyalinus showing head, forewing and epiproct, Porthgwarra (Cornwall, UK), 14th October 2026

Although the wing pattern is usually a more obvious difference, genus Elipsocus (and also Pseudopsocus) differ from the related genus Propsocus in having the marginal setae on the hindwing confined to the radial fork.

Elipsocus hyalinus showing both wings, forewing, close-up of base of forewing, hindwing and close-up of radial fork of hindwing, Wendling Beck Project (Norfolk, UK), 18th April 2022

Elipsocus hyalinus showing head, Wendling Beck Project (Norfolk, UK), 31st July 2024

Elipsocus hyalinus, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 20th August 2018