Tobacco and tomato plants preferred oviposition sites. May also feed on the surface of fruit.
Damage usually occurs from midsummer to the end of the growing season.
Overwinter as pupae in the soil. Moths emerge from early June to August and lay eggs on underside of leaves. Up to 2,000 eggs per female laid 1-5 per night. Eggs hatch in 1-2 days. Larvae feed for 3 weeks and pupate in the soil for about 3 weeks.