Plants may be skeletonized by heavy infestations. Life History - This insect overwinters in the pupal stage. In spring, moths emerge and mate. Females soon deposit clusters of eggs on leaves. After about 7 days, the eggs hatch.
Young larvae feed in colonies on the underside of leaves.
As they mature, caterpillars disperse and feed on more exposed sites. After feeding for about 4 weeks, woollybears are fully grown and begin to seek sheltered places in which to pupate. Here, caterpillars spin cocoons and spend the next 1 to 2 weeks transforming into moths. The life cycle is then repeated. Several generations are completed each year.