Large holes develop from earlier feeding as the leaf tissue expands. Plants prematurely topped by budworm feeding produce profuse sucker growth. Both species of caterpillars may also bore in stalks or midribs. Tobacco budworm adults emerge in North Carolina from late April to mid-May. Corn earworm adults emerge from early May to early June.
Females generally emerge earlier than males.
Eggs are deposited on the leaves or buds of the tobacco plant. After hatching, larvae may first feed on the leaf and then move to the bud region. Tobacco budworm larvae have five or six instars with the development period varying from 21 to 25 days. Corn earworm development is similar. Pupation occurs in the soil.