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Neodusmetia
Neodusmetia is a genus of encyrtid parasitoid wasps in the family Encyrtidae. The genus contains at least one described species, Neodusmetia sangwani, which has achieved international recognition as one of the most successful examples of classical biological control. This species was introduced from India to multiple countries to control the invasive Rhodes grass scale, Antonina graminis, a major pest of pasture grasses.
Neodusmetia sangwani
Neodusmetia sangwani is a minute encyrtid parasitoid wasp native to India, renowned as one of the most successful classical biological control agents ever deployed. It was introduced to the United States in the 1950s and Brazil in 1967 to combat the Rhodesgrass mealybug (Antonina graminis), a destructive pest of pasture grasses. The species exhibits extreme sexual dimorphism: females are wingless, short-lived, and sedentary, while males are winged. Its introduction saved an estimated $17 million annually in turf management costs in Texas alone.