Overwintering adults emerge in early spring and feed on the tips of new saltcedar shoots. After mating, females lay eggs near stem tips or on flower buds. Eggs are small, yellow, and oval-shaped. Larvae are highly cryptic, closely resembling the green scale-like leaves of saltcedars, albeit with black head capsules. They feed on saltcedar foliage and flower tissue through four instars. Larvae pupate within woven baskets attached to saltcedar leaves. Adults are ~3 mm long with robust bodies, large eyes, thick legs, and thick snouts pointing strongly downward. The elytra have distinct grooves. Adults vary from mottled brown to iridescent green. Because larvae and adults can be difficult to find, searching for the presence of pupal baskets is often the best way to confirm the insect’s presence. There may be 3–4 generations per year, though the adults of each generation are capable of living >12 months. Adults overwinter in plant litter beneath saltcedars.