This forms a shelter or nest in which the larva feeds on leaves and fruit and is protected from most pesticide applications. Sometimes, larvae spin silk between fruits that touch each other. If disturbed, larvae wiggle violently and fall to the ground. The pupal stage lasts about 17 days before adult moths emerge. Though considerable color variation occurs with both sexes, the forewings of a typical female are rusty tan, while those of the slightly smaller male are tan, with a triangular dark mark midway on the outer margin of the wings.
Adults are active only at night.
Female moths lay 400 to 500 eggs during 2 to 3 weeks. Often young larvae bind new terminal leaves together and feed within them. As terminals develop and unfold, feeding damage is revealed. Mature avocado trees can tolerate considerable leaf damage by amorbia larvae without severe effects on tree growth or fruit yield. Fruit damage occurs where larvae web leaves against fruit, or where webs are made between touching fruit.