Larvae vary in color from green to brown or black and reach a maximum length of 48 mm. Larvae have a light, dorsal stripe bordered by broad, dark stripes and a broad white, longitudinal stripe on each side. The adult or moth has a wingspan of 30 to 38 mm. The hind wings are cinnamon brown with a row of light spots near the margin. When the wings are fully extended, a dark diagonal line extending across both sets of wings is evident.
Soybean is the primary host.
Only five other host plants from three plant families are known. Later instars consume the entire leaves. After the upper leaves have been consumed, foliage in the middle and lower parts of the canopy are consumed. Complete defoliation may occur. Velvetbean caterpillars survive the winter in tropical areas and migrate into Georgia in late spring and early summer.