Schinia pulchripennis

Prior to reproduction, females remain at the blossom of O. pupurascens until a male approaches them to mate.[4] Generally, females lay their eggs and place them between the blossom and the bract of the food plant.[2] Compared to other species (e.g. Helicoverpa), Schinia lay relatively large eggs in the expense of low fecundity, ranging from tens to hundreds of eggs.[4][6]

Initially, the eggs are pale yellow, however they brown as incubation continues. Towards the end of the incubation period, head capsules and prothoracic shields begin to appear. Once the larvae hatch from the eggs, they travel towards the seed capsule, where they begin nesting and feeding. The larval stage, including all the stadiums, lasts for approximately 28.5 days. When the larvae reach the fourth or fifth stadium, they emerge from the seed capsule and move to the head of the blossom. At this point, they are able to consume both the flower and seeds of the plant.[2] As they remain on the head of the blossom, they are able to avoid predators due to their ability to blend into the flower with their developed color and spot pattern.[2][4] When the larvae are fully matured, they drop and tunnel into the ground, where they pupate. The moths then emerge from the ground during spring or winter when there is enough rain to germinate O. puparascens seeds.[4]