The adult emerges in about 5 days. Winter is spent in the cocoon or adult stage, depending on species. Adults disperse widely after emerging before mating and laying eggs. C. rufilabris adults can be found throughout the year in central Texas, but they are most abundant in the fall. C. carnea is more abundant in the spring and in the fall their bodies become reddish-brown as they prepare to overwinter.
Some species have several generations per year while others have one.
Adults have chewing mouthparts. Some species are predaceous as adults to a limited extent. Larvae have sickle-shaped jaws that contain tubes with which they can inject prey with a paralyzing venom and then suck out the body fluids. They can consume over 200 aphids or other prey per week. None, this is a beneficial insect.