If cotton squares are not available in the field, they feed in terminals of plants. They usually feed at the base of bud leaves, causing leaves to wilt, turn brown or black, and die. This type damage is usually of little economic importance. Both females and males are attracted by an aggregating pheromone. Adult, overwintered females feed for 3 to 7 days, mate, and start laying eggs.
Adults develop from pupae and cut their way out of squares or bolls.
New adults feed from 3 to 5 days, mate, and begin laying eggs. Weevils increase rapidly in number, often resulting in a need for intensified spraying later in the season. Squares damaged by egg-laying or feeding will flare in about 3 days after puncture, but squares may remain on the plant for 5 to 7 days before falling to the ground. Cycles are repeated during the season until cotton plants are destroyed or killed by frost. Theoretically, the off-spring from a single pair of weevils could amount to 12 million in one year but probably number about 2 million.