The cassava or pink cassava mealybug, Phenacoccus manihoti Matile-Ferrero (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), is a serious insect pest that causes damage to a wide range of cassava varieties (Manihot esculenta) worldwide. P. manihoti populations peak during the dry season. P. manihoti is indigenous to South America, but it has been introduced to sub-Saharan Africa, and is well established throughout this region . In Asia, this mealybug species was accidentally introduced to Thailand. Afterwards, the pest has spread aggressively throughout cassava-growing areas in Thailand and neighboring countries such as Laos and Vietnam .