Moths have been collected from late April through October. The obliquebanded leafroller enters diapause in autumn when shorter days and lower temperatures make conditions unsuitable for growth and development. The obliquebanded leafroller overwinters as second to fourth stage larvae in tiny, tight cocoons called hibernacula. The overwintering caterpillars emerge and begin feeding on the new growth in spring. The caterpillars pupate and within a few weeks a new generation of moths emerges to mate and lay eggs.
Males emerge before females.
Therefore it is best to wait a few days after adults are first noticed before applying some sort of control measures. Females lay their eggs in small masses of about 200 on the leaves of various trees, shrubs and flowers. Newly hatched caterpillars disperse vigorously and even can be blown about from plant to plant. The caterpillars develop through seven instars. Frass from infected caterpillars may infect other larvae.