This insect is very destructive to forage and other crops in South Carolina. The adult moth is unable to overwinter in South Carolina and must fly here from further south. The adult moth chooses fields thickly covered with grass to lay her eggs. At times, the number of worms may be so great that they may develop the marching habit. They literally eat everything as they move.
The larvae feed up to 20 days. The pupal stage is about 10 days. In South Carolina a generation can be produced in about a month.
