They can be both endoparasitic and ectoparasitic, depending on the host plant. Second stage juveniles hatch from eggs that are either contained within plant stem or leaf tissues, or on the surface of tissue layers within leaf or flower buds.
Juveniles develop through the third and fourth stages to become adult males or females.
After males copulate with females, the females lay about two fertilized eggs a day. As with stem and bulb nematodes, some juvenile stages adapt to drying and may remain alive and be carried in dry plant parts including seeds. When an infected growing point is not killed and continues to grow, the stems, foliage, and other structures that develop from it are likely to be crinkled, distorted, or twisted. The penetration of and feeding on leaf tissue will cause leaves to crinkle, curl, and discolor in the interveinal regions. Strawberry fruits may also become malformed and discolored from foliar nematode infection.