Eastern North America. States listed in the distribution map pertain only to documented intentional redistributions on waterhyacinth.
Adults are mottled tan, have a furry thorax, are up to 17 mm long, and have a wingspan of 35 mm. Females lay eggs in spring in masses on waterhyacinth leaves. Larvae feed on waterhyacinth leaves and bore into stems. Late instars are olive green with dark horizontal bands and are up to 5 cm long. Pupation occurs in cocoons in plant stems. There are two generations per year in southern regions. Larvae overwinter in waterhyacinth stems.
Although native to North America, redistributions are not recommended because this species feeds on numerous other aquatic plant species.
Larval feeding reduces the growth, vigor, and bouyancy of attacked stems and leaves, reducing waterhyacinth cover and biomass at some locations.
Smith, M.C., A.B.C. Goode, and N.E. Harms. 2022. Waterhyacinth Biocontrol Agents: History and Ecology in North America. In: R.L. Winston, Ed. Biological Control of Weeds in North America. North American Invasive Species Management Association, Milwaukee, WI. NAISMA-BCW-2022-16-WATERHYACINTH-A. https://bugwoodcloud.org/resource/files/25358.pdf