C. marginiventris is a general parasitoid of noctuid moths.
It attacks mostly very young larvae (first to second instar).
A single egg is usually laid in each host, and the cocoon
hatches in seven to10 days. The host, which feeds little
throughout its life, dies shortly after the parasitoid emerges.
After the mature parasitoid exits the host larvae, they die
within a day. The exit hole in the side of the larva is only a
superficial sign of the actual damage that occurred to the
host. Practically all organs inside were consumed by the
parasitoid.