Description of a new ant- and stingless-bee-loving species of Cryptostigma Ferris (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) from Ecuador living inside internodes of Cecropia (Urticaceae), with an updated key to the adult females and first-instar nymphs of the genus

Abstract

A new soft scale species, Cryptostigma cecropiaphilum Kondo & Roubik, sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae), is described from specimens collected from inside hollow branches (internodes) of Cecropia ficifolia Warb. ex Snethl and Cecropia sciadophylla Mart. (Urticaceae), in Orellana province, Ecuador. The new species was found in association with three mutualistic hymenopterans: two species of Plebeia Schwarz, subgenus Nanoplebeia Engel (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini), and Azteca sp. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Dolichoderinae). The new species of coccid is described based on the morphology of the adult female and first-instar nymph. Keys to the known adult females and first-instar nymphs of Cryptostigma Ferris are provided.