It has been used as an agent of biological pest control against the noxious aquatic plant known as alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides).

It has been imported and released in the United States to feed upon alligator weed.

The female lays about 200 eggs during her ninety-day adult lifespan.

The larva is tan in its first stage and bright scarlet red in its second.

Both larva and adult feed upon the alligator weed, generally on leaf buds and along leaf edges, causing curling of the leaves and stunting of the plant.