ABSTRACT
Microphysids generally are found in association with mosses and lichens growing on various trees, shrubs, or low-growing plants like mats of heather, Calluna vulgaris, intermixed with moss, clumps of grass and other vegetation. Microphysids are characterized by the presence of ocelli, a distinct cuneus, a single closed cell on the hemelytral membrane, and two-segmented tarsi. Brachyptery is common in some genera. Pericart’s revision of the European Microphysidae contains keys, descriptions of adults and immatures and numerous notes on biology, ecology, and hosts. Adults and nymphs from North America can be identified to family using Slater and Baranowski’s key in “How To Know The True Bugs.”
