[3] It is used as a biological control of a number of pests, such the army worm (Mythimna unipuncta), sugarcane leaf roller (Omiodes accepta), corn earworm (Heliothis zea), black cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon), and variegated cutworm (Peridroma saucia).

Researchers do not all agree that a high census of L. archippivora may regulate the population or have an effect on the fall migration of eastern monarch butterflies to Mexico.

[4] In 1898 it was introduced into the Hawaiian Islands by Albert Koebele and used as a biological control agent to reduce the population of army worms.

[6] After infection, Lespesia archippivora maggots go through three larval instars, exit their hosts as a late stage larva and hide under soil substrate.

After 3 days, the fly larva adheres itself close to a spiracle (breathing tube) of the infected caterpillar.