Hypogeal scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) of the coffee agro-system in Chiapas state, Mexico, with description of a new species of Williamsrhizoecus Kozár and Konczné Benedicty (Rhizoecidae)

Abstract Background The goal of this research is to provide new information about the hypogeal scale insects associated with coffee crops in Mexico. This plant is associated with many insects, among others, the scale insects. This group of insects are potential pests in coffee crops because they are exclusive phytophagous. Until now, there are more than 500 scale insects species recorded in Mexico, 19 of them in Chiapas State. The rhizosphere of the coffee plants contains high diversity of scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) that have not been studied until now. Samples were collected from coffee and undetermined species of Poaceae roots, in Chiapas State, Mexico, in November 2014, and mature female specimens were identified to species level. Results Specimens of Dysmicoccus texensis (Pseudococcidae), Geococcus coffeae, Pseudorhizoecus proximus, Rhizoecus colombiensis, Rhizoecus neostangei and Ripersiella campestris, (Rhizoecidae) and Insignorthezia insignis and Mixorthezia minima (Ortheziidae) were identified. Pseudorhizoecus proximus, R. campestris and M. minima are recorded for the first time from Mexico. In addition, a new species, Williamsrhizoecus coffeae Caballero and Ramos sp. nov., is described. Conclusions New information about phytophagous insects are presented to Mexico and the world. Nine species of infraorder Coccomorpha are recorded for Mexico, two of them are new registers, and one species new to science is described.