Some climbing cutworms may feed on buds, leaves, or even fruits. Most pass the winter as partly grown to fully grown larvae. However, some hibernate as adults and some as pupae. The four stages are egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Usually there is only one generation per year, but some may have as many as four.
Cutworms feed mainly at night.
One must look under clods, rocks, and debris to find them during the daytime.