The adult female lays small (1/64 inch) oval to round flattened eggs, yellowish white in color, normally in groups of three to eight. Female moths can lay an average of 150 eggs. Eggs hatch in five to six days depending on temperature.
Newly hatched larvae pass through four growth stages, or instars. Larvae first appear light green and darken as they mature. Fully grown larvae reach approximately 1/3- to 1/2- inch in length and are pointed at both ends. Large larvae appear similar to a looper type worm, and aggressively thrash back and forth when disturbed, dropping from the plant on a silken strand. They pupate within a loosely spun cocoon attached to leaves or stems of the plant.
Adults can emerge in 6 to 12 days, and a lifecycle can be completed in about 32 days, depending upon temperatures. It is not uncommon to find all life stages at the same time in a field.