The larvae pupate in a silk cocoon in crevices in the bark or in litter at the base of the tree. The oriental fruit moth overwinters as a full-grown larva in a cocoon in protected places on the trunk or around the base of the tree. They pupate beginning in late March and moth emergence usually coincides with peach bloom. First generation larvae tunnel into the young, tender, terminal growth near the base of a leaf early in the season. The larvae may tunnel down the center of the twig for 2 to 6 inches before completing development or exiting and moving to another shoot.
Successive leaves begin to wilt as the larva progresses down the twig.
This injury causes dieback or flagging of these twigs . Larvae often damage 2 or 3 twigs before reaching maturity. These larvae can complete their development in less than a month. Larvae of subsequent generations feed on fruit, when available, and twigs. As the twigs harden, the partially grown larvae leave them and enter the fruits to feed.