Larvae are up to 0.4 inches long. This is the most common weevil on alfalfa. A few other species may show up on alfalfa but they are less likely to be of economic importance. An introduced ichneumon wasp, Bathyplectes curculionis , parasitizes the larvae and has helped with controlling this pest. The eastern form spends the winter as eggs and the western form spend the winter as adults.
Females lay eggs in cavities in the stems of alfalfa.
Yellowish eggs are laid in clusters on the plant. They pupate in cocoons in the soil and adult weevils emerge in about 10 days. There is one generation per year with adults living 10 to 14 months. Adults readily fly and migrate to new fields. Chewing mouthparts for adults and larvae.