Adult weevils insert yellow oval eggs into alfalfa stems.
Following egg hatch, small legless yellowish-green larvae, each with a white stripe along the middle of the back emerge. A fainter white stripe is also present on each side of the more prominent central stripe. Transformation to the adult stage is passed in a loosely woven white cocoon, about the size of a pea, to which leaves may be attached. Some initial egg laying during November may take place before the onset of cold weather. During the winter, when tempteratures permit, adults may deposit some eggs.