The tiny (1.2-1.5mm) transparent or yellow flattened eggs are laid in clusters (of up to 30 eggs) that resemble miniature overlapping fish scales. These egg clusters are very difficult to locate because of their small size and the fact that they are laid near the throat of the plant. The eggs are usually laid on the emerging bunch and the surrounding leaves, but eggs have occasionally been found on the pseudostem below the new bunch. Larvae (caterpillars) are pink to brown in colour and range in length from 1.5mm when first hatched to about 25mm when fully developed. If disturbed the larvae wiggle violently and drop on silken threads to avoid predation. When larvae are fully mature they generally pupate in the trash at the base of plants or beneath dry leaf sheaths.

The adult moths are difficult to find due to their small size (22mm wingspan), the fact they hide during the day and their dull brown/grey colouration. Adults are most active at dusk when mating and egg laying occurs. Adults do not appear to be attracted to lights, unlike other moth species. The total lifecycle from egg to mature adult takes around 25-32 days.