It occurs in South America, being common in southern Brazil, northern Argentina and Uruguay.

Eggs are laid on tree trunks, usually inside small fissures in the bark.

After eclosion, the larvae build a gallery below the bark in branches with diameters between 2 and 6 cm and start to feed on the wood, taking about 10 months to become adults.

Adults have been reported to feed on fruits, flowers, and sap leaking from injured tree trunks.

[4] Species that serve as host for Compsocerus violaceus include:[3][4][5]