They become active in early Spring and move to the earliest host plants available. They feed for several days befre mating. Each female lays 175 to 250 eggs in clusters of 12 to 24 in the soil at the plant base. Eggs hatch in 1 to 3 weeks, depending upon the temperature. The larvae find their way to the base of the stem or roots and feed there for 3 to 6 weeks.
Mature larvae form earthen cells to pupate.
Adults vary greatly in color and markings, typically reddish-brown to yellowish with black margins and about 5 to 6 mm long. Each wing cover usually marked with three black spots. All bean leaf beetles have a black, triangular-shaped spot on the forward margin of the wings. The larva is whitish with dark brown ends, there are 6 tiny legs near the head, and tt grows to a length of about 10 mm.