Following the introduction in Congo of the cassava mealybug, Phenacoccus manihoti in 1973, a French Congolese team was set up to tackle the problem. The main results of the team's studies that aimed to the effectiveness of Epidinocarsis lopezi a parasitoid introduced in Africa from South America by IITA, are reported here.
The studies were simultaneously developed in the laboratory and in the field, In the areas of biology, physiology, behaviour and ecology of the Encyrtidae. These studies allowed the drawing up of a balance of its qualities and limits observed, its effectiveness in natural conditions and provide the opportunity to share some ideas on the use in Africa of the South American's auxiliary. The different areas of the studies are successively examined.