Methoxyfenozide is primarily used as an insect growth regulator in agriculture. It controls a wide range of lepidopteran pests in crops such as fruits, vegetables, cotton, and tea. It works by mimicking ecdysone, a natural insect molting hormone, which disrupts the molting process in larvae, leading to premature molting and death. Because of its selective mode of action, it has low toxicity to beneficial insects, birds, and mammals, making it suitable for integrated pest management programs. It is effective at low application rates and is often favored in resistance management strategies due to its unique mechanism compared to conventional insecticides.