The Asian shrub Rhodomyrtus tomentosa is an invasive weed in Florida and Hawaii, USA. Surveys for natural enemies of this exotic shrub in Hong Kong, China, resulted in the development of a laboratory colony and initial host range testing of Carea varipes Walker as a potential biological control agent of R. tomentosa. Twelve critical test plant species were presented to C. varipes larvae, but complete development was limited to R. tomentosa, the ornamental Myrtus communis, and the Florida native Morella cerifera. Total development time was >10 d faster when held with R. tomentosa and M. communis versus M. cerifera, with the latter species requiring an extra larval instar to reach the pupal stage. Total consumption levels over an individual's larval stage were similar among R. tomentosa and M. cerifera but, when the longer development time associated with the latter host is accounted for, consumption rates indicate that larvae consumed >2 times more leaf material when held with the Florida native. Despite an apparent preference for R. tomentosa, it is clear that the physiological host range of C. varipes includes the Florida native M. cerifera and the ornamentally important M. communis. The generalized feeding patterns exhibited in this research indicates that additional resources dedicated to the development of this species as a biological control agent are unwarranted.