Egg laying takes place in late June. One generation occurs per year. Older larvae have orange-brown heads and a pale yellow body with four brown to tan stripes down the back. They feed gregariously within a nest constructed of leves tied with silk. As feeding progresses, more leaves are incorporated into the nest.
Leaves turn brown from feeding damage and appear as if fire scorched.
Adults are recognized by the alternating brown and white wavy lines on their forewings. Abundant moths in mid-June is the first evidence of potential foliage damage later in the season. If severe defoliation occurs along with other stresses, crown dieback and tree mortality may result. Managers will find it difficult to control this defoliator with aerial sprays, because caterpillars are exposed for only a short time between egg hatch and nest construction. Avoid thinning recently defoliated stands, especially if other stresses such as drought occur.