A NEW GENUS AND SPECIES OF MEALYBUG (HOMOPTERA, COCCOIDEA, PSEUDOCOCCIDAE) ASSOCIATED WITH ANTS IN SWOLLEN THORN ACACIAS IN TANZANIA

A new genus Acaciacoccus, gen. n. is described for a new species of mealybug Acaciacoccus hockingi, sp. n. found within the swollen thorns of Acacia drepanolobium in Tanzania. The new species in tended by the ant Crematogaster nigriceps subsp. prelli Forel. This mealybug is well adapted to living inside the swellings and relies on the ant to remove honeydew. Although the ant can live in association with other insects producing honeydew, the mealbug has not been found living outside the swollen thorns or without the ant species.