It is rarely of economic importance, but may be common in isolated locations. Little attention has been paid to its biology and control in recent years. The larvae are greenish brown caterpillars. The biology of the ribbed cocoon maker is not well known. Pupae pass the winter in cocoons on the bark on the undersides of smaller branches.
Adult emergence occurs as leaves are unfolding in the spring.
After a few days, tiny light green eggs are laid on the undersides of leaves. Eggs hatch in 6-10 days, and larvae tunnel directly into the leaves. Each larva creates a narrow mine for about a week. The larva then leaves the mine to create a molting cocoon. After molting in this cocoon, the larva feeds near the leaf edge.