Larval feeding causes plants to yellow, wilt and die. Larvae also attack planted seeds. They pupate from late May through July. Adults are active from early May until mid-August. No males have been found.
Females reproduce parthenogenetically.
Egg-laying begins 10 to 12 days after females emerge. Eggs hatch in about two weeks. Emerging larvae feed below ground until cold weather, when they overwinter. There is one generation per year. Federal and state quarantines restrict the movement of untreated products likely to convey the beetles in any stage.