It wriggles rapidly when disturbed and often drops from the plant and hangs by a silken thread.
Larva eats small holes in leaves and buds.
Throughout United States. Adult moths lay minute eggs in groups of less than three, or singly, on the underside of cole crop leaves. In about 10 to 14 days tiny larvae hatch, bore into leaves, and feed internally on leaf tissue. Larvae emerge and begin feeding on outer leaf tissue in 10 to 30 days, depending on environmental conditions. Larvae spin a loosely woven cocoon, which resembles gauze, on plant leaves or stalks and pupate.