The Rhodesgrass mealybug (formerly known as Rhodesgrass scale), Antonina graminis (Maskell) (Fig. 1), became a major pest of various Texas forage and lawn grasses in the early 1940s. The mealybug was described by Maskell in 1897 from specimens collected at Hong Kong, China. This insect was first identified from the United States in 1942 by Harold Morrison from specimens collected from rhodesgrass, Chloris gayana Kunth, by Nick Diaz, King Ranch Agronomist, Kingsville, TX. Many susceptible forage grasses were found to persist only 2–4 yr. Infested lawn grasses required more fertilizer and water, and less clipping was suggested. Pesticidal control was prohibitive since the mealybug generally was located beneath leaf sheaths and was difficult to reach with pesticides. Total coverage with an organophosphate pesticide was necessary for adequate control but cost was usually unjustified. The biological control approach appeared the most logical means for a solution to the problem.