When at rest, beetles resemble somewhat the droppings of caterpillars. The egg is not visible but is enclosed in a case made from fecal material secreted by the ovipositing female. Egg and case are attached to the leaf surface by a short stalk. When the larva moves about or feeds, the head and legs may be partially exposed, but it is largely the case that is visible on host foliage. The pupa and callow adult are also pinkish orange.
Adults remain in the larval case until fully colored before emerging.
The sycamore leaf beetle was common and abundant in 1991, less so in each successive year to become relatively scarce in 1994, the last year of the study. Adults began feeding promptly. However, in the studies at Auburn, overwintered adults were observed regularly feeding on the upper surface of leaves. At Auburn, females oviposited regularly on both lower and upper surfaces of sycamore leaves. Occasionally an egg was found on a leaf petiole or twig.