It is found in India and Vietnam where it is commonly known as the Gurdaspur borer because the larvae bore their way into and feed on the stems of sugarcane.

The larva is creamy-white with four narrow, longitudinal, reddish stripes along the body, and an orange head.

Its range in India includes the states of Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.

The fly Sturmiopsis inferens is a naturally occurring parasitoid and its use as a possible biological pest control agent is being investigated.

Finally, between November and January, it targets the gold-fringed rice stemborer (Chilo auricilius).