We describe a new pair of trophobiotic partners from the ant genus Acropyga and the root mealybug genus Neochavesia . A recent field study on Acropyga ants and associated root mealybugs, conducted in the Peruvian Amazon, led to the discovery of Acropyga manuense LaPolla & Schneider, sp. nov. and its root mealybug symbiont Neochavesia podexuta Schneider & LaPolla, sp. nov. The new root mealybug belongs to the family Xenococcidae, whose members are all obligate associates of Acropyga ants. Providing joint descriptions of new mutualist partners in the same article is a novel approach for this system, and it offers benefits to the ongoing study of mutualism and patterns of association among these symbiotic ants and scales. Here, we also begin to revise the species-group composition of Acropyga by establishing the smithii species-group, and we provide updated information to aid in identifying the new ant species and root mealybug species.
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This content will become publicly available on December 17, 2025
New species of Coccidella Hambleton and Rhizoecus Kunckel d’Herculais from South America (Hemiptera: Rhizoecidae)
Two new species of root mealybugs (Hemiptera: Rhizoecidae) from South America are described and illustrated based on the morphology of the adult females: Coccidella advena Schneider & LaPolla, sp. nov. from Peru and Rhizoecus peripotaro Schneider & LaPolla, sp. nov. from Guyana and Peru. Both species were collected with colonies of Acropyga ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) but only R. peripotaro was found to be trophobiotic; C. advena was ignored by the ants and is considered to be free-living. A guide to aid in identification is provided for each species.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1754242
- PAR ID:
- 10560607
- Publisher / Repository:
- Magnolia Press
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Zootaxa
- Volume:
- 5555
- Issue:
- 1
- ISSN:
- 1175-5326
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 125 to 133
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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