The grape berry moth has been considered one of the most severe grape pests in Virginia. Populations have been worsening in many vineyards in recent years. Economic damage is primarily to the berries, although minor damage is also done to foliage. This species overwinters as pupae in grayish silken cocoons in fallen leaves. It is more common in damp material.
Adults are moths with irregular markings of different shades of brown.
While earlier workers reported that adults emerge when grape foliage is well unfolded, near bloom time, beginning in late May or early June, more recent work has shown a prebloom generation as well, with mature larvae present by bloom . The second generation, therefore flies near bloom time, continuing for several weeks. The female sex pheronone was recently defined by Witzgall et al. Females lay an average of 20 eggs singly on grape stems, blossom clusters, or berries at dusk. The eggs hatch after about 4-8 days.