Adult moths are mostly white with dark spots on the wings. Webs of fall webworms are often confused with other caterpillar-produced webbing in trees. Caterpillars of this and other web-producing species are less hairy and lack the double row of black dots on the top of each body segment characteristic of the fall webworm. Adults emerge in spring after host plants have developed leaves and mate. On the underside of leaves female moths deposit eggs in masses that appear covered with hair.
Caterpillars hatch and begin feeding on leaves, spinning silken webs enveloping their feeding sites.
Two to four generations occur per year, depending on locality within Texas. Caterpillars have chewing mouthparts. Adults have siphoning mouths. Caterpillars will feed on leaves of a large number of trees including hickory, mulberry, oak, pecan, poplar, redbud, sweetgum, willow and many other shade, ornamental, fruit and nut trees. Preferences for different host plant species appear to be regional and seasonal.