Citrus cutworm has only one generation a year. The grayish
adult moth emerges from early January to the end of April,
with peak emergence during March. After mating, female moths
lay their round, milky white eggs mainly on the upperside
of new leaves in clusters of 40 to 225. After a few days,
eggs turn dark in color as larvae develop inside; they hatch
in 5 to 10 days. Larvae mature in 3 to 6 weeks: the greatest
number of larvae is usually found from mid-March to the
first of May, but sometimes even later. Mature larvae drop
to the ground and pupate in soil. Pupae remain dormant until
the following spring.
