 Ants of the entirely subterranean genus "Acropyga" have a noted trophobiotic relationship with mealybugs, being considered obligate coccidophiles and living in the same nests with their trophobionts.Queens of at least eleven living "Acropyga" species have been observed carrying a "seed" trophobiont in their mandibles during the mating flight, and it is suggested the seed is then used to start the mealybug colony in the queen's new nest.The level of dependency between "Acrophyga" and their trophobiont is suggested to be such that neither can survive without the other.