Caterpillars feed on tender leaves, causing skeletonization and defoliation, with injury on soybean plants being most severe on the upper part of the plant. Host plants include primarily legumes such as alfalfa, cowpea, peanuts and soybeans. In the south, several generations can occur annually. They overwinter in the tropics and southern Florida. Winter is spent in the pupal stage inside of a cocoon attached by one side to the host plant material.
Adults emerge in the spring, mate and fly to a suitable host plant.
Eggs are smooth, light green and slightly flat. Within about 3 days, small caterpillars hatch from the eggs. Adults emerge in about 13 days unless they overwinter. Development from egg to adult can be completed in about 35 days. Four generations or more can be produced each year.