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A new genus and species of mealybug with a consideration of morphological convergence in three arboreal species (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae)

Abstract Descriptions and illustrations are given of male and female instars of the mealybug Plotococcus eugeniae, gen.n. and sp.n. This pseudococcid inhabits the dense hammock vegetation of southern Florida and is found primarily on Eugenia. It has the unusual habit of infesting many microhabitats on leaf undersurfaces rather than limiting its distribution to primary and secondary veins as do most leaf‐inhabiting mealybugs. Plotococcus eugeniae has unusually long legs, tarsal claws, antennae, and lateral wax filaments. Leptococcus metroxyli Reyne from New Guinea and Macrocepicoccus loranthi Morrison from Guyana also have these features. These species are redescribed and illustrated, and morphological comparisons are given that document the similarity of gross body structure among all three taxa. Evidence is presented suggesting that the unique morphology of these species has evolved independently through selection for dispersal as adult females.