Adult Archips semiferanus moths lay masses of 40 to 50 eggs on oak tree branches and rough bark in July; these overwinter and hatch the next spring.

The female covers the eggs with hairs from her body; they are deposited on "the base of large branches and rough bark patches on both tree trunks and limbs".

The larvae (or caterpillars) emerge in April and initially eat the buds of oak trees and young leaves inside them.

[1][6] When fully grown, the larvae are between 25 and 29 millimetres (0.98 and 1.14 in) long with a body that can be yellow-green or darker shades of green.

[8] After a week or two in the pupal stage, the adult moths emerge in late June or early July.

[9] Archips semiferanus is found in the eastern United States and adjoining portions of southeastern Canada.

This can severely stress the tree's food reserves, and the older larvae can eat nearly all the remaining leaves, defoliating them.

[13] In 2001 recent outbreaks had occurred in Cambria, Cameron, Clearfield, Clinton, and Warren counties in Pennsylvania.

In 1974 the United States Forest Service tested four insecticides on oak leafroller larvae as replacements for DDT and found that less than 1 microgram of each (bioethanomethrin, mexacarbate, phoxim, and pyrethrins) caused 90 percent mortality.

[15] Natural predators that feed on the larvae include parasitic wasps and bird species such as mockingbirds.