Larvae of this beetle overwinter in the soil among grape roots, from 1-2 cm to more than 50 cm deep. In spring, feeding on roots is resumed.
Adults appear about two weeks later.
Beetles are about 6 mm long, chestnut brown with yellow-white hairs. Eggs hatch in 1-2 weeks and larvae drop to the ground, enter the soil, and feed on grape roots until cold weather. Larvae consume smaller roots and eat pits into larger ones. This damage is much more important than the adult foliar injury. Vines become unthrifty, reducing yield, and may even die after several years of infestation.