Larvae require a diet of honey and pollen to develop fully. The mature larvae leave the hive and burrow into the soil beneath the hive to pupate. The length of the pupal stage varies, but most pupae emerge from the soil as adults in 3-4 weeks. Newly emerged adults are very active and fly readily when disturbed. Newly emerged adults reenter a bee colony and begin the life cycle again.
Female beetles begin laying eggs about one week following their emergence from the soil.
As the adults age, they seek refuge and seldom fly. Although the adults may be found anywhere in the hive, they are normally found in debris on the bottom board, seen immediately after the inner cover is removed from the hive. They may also hide in the cavity behind the metal rabbets or in cavities in the burr-comb the bees may have built between the top bars of the frames and the cover of the hive. In South Africa, five generations a year are possible during the warmer months. Adult beetles and larvae inside the hive will feed on pollen, bee larvae, and eat off the wax cappings of stored honey.