Pleocoma larvae feed externally upon roots and often are found deep within the soil beneath their host plants. Although the duration of the larval stage is not known for most species, some species have nine or more instars and require from 8-13 years to reach adulthood. Pupation occurs in late summer in a simple, elongate cell. After pupation, both sexes dig to the surface and emerge more or less synchronously. Some species emerge at the onset of fall or winter rains while others are active during mid-winter or early spring.
Most species are active during or immediately following precipitation.
Both sexes possess strongly toothed protibiae, and most species also have the clypeus and ocular canthi modified for digging through well-consolidated soils. Only male Pleocoma species are fully winged and capable of flight. Although the adults of most species have crepuscular flights, some fly in late morning and others fly in the night during rain. Males may be strongly attracted to light, particularly early in the flight season. Females generally are much larger than males, more heavy-bodied, and have the hind wings reduced to vestigial stubs.