Sains Malaysiana 39(2)(2010): 329–331 Research Notes First Report of Liposcelis bostrychophila Badonnel (Psocoptera: Liposcelidae) as a Museum Insect Pest in Malaysia (Laporan Pertama Liposcelis bostrychophila Badonnel (Psocoptera: Liposcelidae) sebagai Serangga Perosak Muzium di Malaysia) HEO CHONG CHIN*, JOHN JEFFERY, NAZNI WASI AHMAD, HEAH SOCK KIANG, BAHARUDIN OMAR, HIDAYATULFATHI OTHMAN & LEE HAN LIM ABSTRACT This paper reports the infestation of psocid, Liposcelis bostrychophila Badonnel (Psocoptera: Liposcelidae) in the insect museum at Medical Entomology Unit, Institute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur. These tiny organisms were recognised as museum insect pest and found frequently in the insect boxes containing mosquitoes, lies, cockroaches and butterlies. They feed on dead insect specimens and cause severe physical damages to the valuable reference specimens collected in the early 20 th century. Hence, it is important to control their population immediately to prevent them from causing further deterioration to the museum collection. Keywords: Insect pest; Liposcelis bostrychophila; Malaysia; museum ABSTRAK Kertas ini melaporkan infestasi oleh sejenis serangga perosak, Liposcelis bostrychophila Badonnel (Psocoptera: Liposcelidae) di Muzium Serangga, Unit Entomologi Perubatan, Institut Penyelidikan Perubatan, Kuala Lumpur. Serangga perosak yang bersaiz kecil ini selalu dijumpai di dalam kotak penyimpan serangga yang mengandungi spesimen seperti nyamuk, lalat, lipas dan rama-rama. Serangga perosak ini akan memakan dan merosakkan keadaan izikal spesimen- spesimen yang bernilai tinggi memandangkan spesimen ini telah dikutip dan disimpan pada awal abad ke-20. Oleh sebab itu, adalah penting sekali untuk mengawal populasi serangga perosak ini untuk mengelakkan kerosakan spesimen rujukan terjadi selanjutnya. Kata kunci: Liposcelis bostrychophila; Malaysia; muzium; serangga perosak INTRODUCTION Members of the insect order, Psocoptera, are known as psocids (commonly called booklice or bark lice). They are small, soft-bodied insects, most of which are less than 6 mm long. The metamorphosis is simple. Some psocid feed on algae and lichens, while others feed on moulds, cereals, pollen, fragments of dead insects and other organic materials (Charles & Norman 2005). Psocids are widely distributed and have been reported infesting domestic premises, raw material stores, manufacturing factories, and also museum. Liposcelis bostrychophila Badonnel has become a rather important pest in houses and warehouses in Europe, Australia and parts of North America (Charles & Norman 2005). It is also a primarily nuisance pest and is widespread in the UK with 30% estimation of household contained this species. Large population of L. bostrychophila can taint foodstuffs with its waste products and can physically damage grains such as rice (Turner 1998). Psocid may transmit pathogens since microorganisms and their spores will survive passage through the psocid gut and may be carried on the surface of their body (Obr 1978; Turner 1986). Even though there is no evidence that psocids are vectors of diseases, they may ingest tapeworm ova and harbor their larvae so they could act as intermediate hosts for the parasites (Turner 1994). In addition, they may elicit allergic reactions in sensitized person. Turner & Ali (1996) were able to identify the dominant antigen from L. bostrychophila. Antibodies to psocid antigens were identiied through Elisa plate tests in 11% of the normal population. This present paper reports on the occurrence of L. bostrychophila as a museum insect pest in Malaysia for the irst time. In March 2009, an inventory was conducted in the insect museum, Medical Entomology Unit, Institute for Medical Research of insect reference specimens maintained thereat. There were about 350 insect boxes kept in the insect museum which contained a variety of medical important insects species such as mosquitoes, lies and cockroaches from Malaysia and other countries. These specimens were collected since 1904 with the mosquito specimens being the main collection in the museum.