Reproduction is sexual. Females lay eggs singly in roots or in soil. Second-stage juveniles hatch from eggs, feed, and undergo three molts to the adult stage. The complete life cycle takes 30 to 86 days, depending on temperature, and is shortest at 30 C. Adults, J2, J3 and J4 can all invade roots. If conditions in the root become unfavorable any juveniles stage or the adult nematodes may leave the root and invade other nearby roots.
Invasion usually takes place in the region of elongation.
Cells are killed and in many instances small roots are killed. The migratory parasitism of this nematode opens up roots to secondary invasion by other soil microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria. In some hosts such as walnut, and stone fruits the nematodes may establish colonies in larger roots and large necrotic lesions are formed. Crop yields are reduced. Seedlings planted in infested soil frequently fail to grow to normal size and may never produce satisfactory trees or vines.