Each forewing bears three slanted, dark olive or brown bands.
Hind wings are white with dark margins.
The corn earworm is usually a light yellowish-olive with a single, dark spot near the center of each forewing and a wingspan of about 38 mm. They develop a reddish-brown band just prior to hatching. Larva - Both species are similar in appearance. About 1.5 mm long, newly emerged larvae are yellowish-white with brown heads. Such larvae may be up to 44 mm long.