This biological control endeavor was awarded with the 1995 World Food Prize being handed to Swiss entomologist Hans Rudolf Herren.P.

[3] P. manihoti reproduces by thelytokous parthenogenesis[3] and goes through four in-star larval forms which have differing numbers of antennal segments.

[5] Predictions about the function of dermal wax in the cassava mealybug suggest it is to prevent desiccation and to deter predators.

[5] The longer coils of wax secreted would be bitten first by a predator and give the cassava mealybug a chance to escape.

[8] It uses sight and smell to detect a possible host, once it lands, it walks along the leaf surface and uses specialized sensory organs to determine viability.

[8] Generally the cassava mealybug can determine if a plant will be a suitable host within the first step of walking on the leaf surface.

[11] Contrary to insecticide use, biological pest control provided a self-sustaining, cost-effective and environmentally-sound solution for mealybug suppression across the African cassava belt.

The use of the introduced parasitoid Anagyrus lopezi proved to be a spectacular success story in the biological control of the cassava mealybug.

[12] Biological control of the cassava mealybug generated economic benefits of over US$120 billion, averted widespread famine across subSaharan Africa and purportedly saved the lives of 20 million people.