It is greyish brown in color with irregular silver and dark markings on the wings. A crescent-shaped marking on each side of the second segment behind the head distinguishes this worm from others. They are usually laid in fissures on the ripening fruit or under the scales around the eye.
Damage is caused when the worm feeds in the fruit.
Navel orangeworms have a wide host range, primarily infesting damaged and overripe fruits and nuts. They overwinter in mummified fruits hanging on trees. Complete harvest rapidly and early, and remove and destroy leftover cull fruit. Clean up surrounding hosts such as almonds during the winter as well. No data has been developed for the efficacy of the wasp in fig orchards.