Development from egg to adult takes 3 to 4 weeks during the summer. There are several generations per year. Caterpillars have chewing mouthparts. Adults have siphoning mouths. The newly hatched caterpillar will eat its egg shell and then feed on tender leaves.
Older caterpillars feed on older leaves and tunnel into fruit.
Caterpillars have silk glands and produce silk threads around feeding sites. They also leave excrement in and underneath feeding sites. Caterpillars can be picked from plants or collected using a sweep net or drop cloth. Adults are attracted to pheromone traps or black light traps. For additional information, contact your local Texas extension service agent, or search for other state extension service offices.