Morphological and molecular characterization of a Pakistan strain of the stored-product pest Liposcelis paeta (Insecta: Psocodea: Liposcelididae) with observations on the variability of the head surface sculpture in liposcelidids

The unusually developed head surface sculpture of a Pakistan strain of the stored-product psocid Liposcelis paeta was discovered using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The morphologically unique serrate tubercle sculpture observed was previously unknown in the genus Liposcelis. The typical morphological female and male characteristics, which are important for species diagnosis, were described and visualised with SEM micrographs. The vertex sculptures of various geographic strains of L. paeta and of some species belonging to all known species-groups of the genus Liposcelis were compared to assess the extent of variability. Molecular data for L. paeta geographic strains are analysed and the taxonomic positions of these geographic strains are also discussed.