Adults overwinter in detritus.
When temperatures reach 48°F, the adults wake up, mate and lay eggs. This occurs mainly in late April and into May.
Larvae begin hatching and feeding in May to June, first in the terminals (left) then later on the open leaves. Larvae are the target of this study.
Cocoons with pupae form mainly in June, and develop rapidly.
New adults feed in alfalfa for a few weeks, then go dormant.
