According to New Scientist magazine, the T. aripo was imported from Brazil to fight one of the world’s most devastating cassava pests, the green spider mite, which was responsible for destroying up to one third of some African cassava crops.
Ajakirja ” New Scientist ” sõnul viidi T. aripo Brasiiliast Aafrikasse, et saada jagu ühest maailma rüüstavaimast maniokikahjurist — rohelisest kedriklestast, kes hävitas mõningates Aafrika paikades kuni kolmandiku maniokisaagist.