Trophobiosis between a new species of (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) and new (Hemiptera, Xenococcidae) from Peru, and establishment of the species-group.

We describe a new pair of trophobiotic partners from the ant genus and the root mealybug genus . A recent field study on ants and associated root mealybugs, conducted in the Peruvian Amazon, led to the discovery of LaPolla & Schneider, and its root mealybug symbiont Schneider & LaPolla, The new root mealybug belongs to the family Xenococcidae, whose members are all obligate associates of 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 by establishing the species-group, and we provide updated information to aid in identifying the new ant species and root mealybug species.