The Kerikeri High School Year 13 student studied light intensity and temperature preferences, and established a population of beetles in Kerikeri for her research.
Aimee's work - including a series of intricate dissections of the tiny insects - showed that while they are suited to Northland, they may struggle in cooler parts. New Zealand is understood to be the first country to introduce tradescantia beetles as a biocontrol.
Aimee's observations, including the beetle's fondness for dappled light, will offer valuable insights for researchers deciding where to release them in future.
The relative lack of information about the beetles is probably because in their native Brazil, tradescantia weed is not invasive, she said. It was the lack of information that triggered her own interest.
Most of the research done by New Zealand scientists before the beetle's 2011 release in Northland had been to make sure it was host-specific and posed no risk to other plant species.
The species Aimee studied is informally known to researchers as "shiny" due to its dark metallic bronze colour and slight iridescence.
However, since 2011 two more species had been released in Northland - a stem borer nicknamed "knobbly" and a tip feeder dubbed "stripey", due to their respective markings.
NRC entomologist Jenny Dymock said Aimee's research is impressive and potentially has international implications. Dr Dymock said biocontrols like the beetles offer cost-effective pest control which doesn't require the use of herbicides or other chemicals.
"While biocontrols aren't in themselves a 'magic bullet' solution to pest species, they're a smart tool for today's world." Biocontrol agents at work in Northland included insects, fungi and rusts attacking tropical grass, webworm, mistflower, gorse, ragwort and tobacco weed.