The life history of a tortricid cone moth Choristoneura lambertiana subretiniana Obraztsov in California is described. The larvae feed primarily on staminatc flowers and cones of lodgepole pine although some needle- and tip-mining occurs. The only other recorded host is ponderosa pine.

Eggs are deposited in late July to early August; first-instar larvae migrate from the needles to protected locations on the branches and spin hibernacula. The larvae overwinter predominantly as second-instar larvae in the hibernaculum. They emerge from the hibernacula in April, and mature in four to six weeks. There are six larval instars. The pupal period lasts approximately two weeks; adult emergence begins in mid-July and extends through the end of August.