Nationwide, this insect is one of the most devastating insect pests of agriculture, particularly in cotton and tobacco. In the United States, millions of dollars are spent annually to control this insect on these Crops. The wings are light green with brown overtones and a few wavy, cream-colored bands. In the early evening, females lay single eggs on geranium buds or on leaves of other plants. The larvae have several stripes but can be quite variable in overall color.
Dark forms are common but red, green or light brown larvae also occur.
Color differences are related, in part, to the color of the flowers on which the Insects are feeding. The caterpillars become full-grown in about a month, drop to the soil and pupate. Adults emerge to repeat the cycle, with two generations normally produced each year. At the end of the season, determined by declining day length and temperatures, the Insects go into a state of suspended development, which they maintain through winter. Adult tobacco budworm.