Migratory ectoparasites feeding near root tip. The first occurs within the egg. Second and third stages must feed to develop. Sexual differentiation occurs after the third molt. Fourth stage and adult are persistent stages for females. Esophagus is degenerate in male juveniles, adult males have no stylet, do not feed, and are not persistent. Adult female produces a sixth cuticle, so that it is ensheathed with two cuticles throughout its entire life. Life cycle from egg to egg requires 15 to 19 days at 28 to 30 C on tomato. Females can lay approximately1 egg per hour in water. Egg hatch occurs in 3 to 5 days.
During feeding, the stylet is inserted 2-3 cells deep - through and between cells. Dorsal esophageal gland secretions directed into cell during 1-2 hour quiescent period; then cell contents are withdrawn over period of 2-6 days - regular pumping of median bulb. Nematode has a feeding tube (adhesive polysaccharide tube) which becomes firmly attached to root, and nematode has to writhe and twist to detach. Nematodes may appear as a fringe around root tip. Nurse cells increase in volume, and walls thicken; some cells are multinucleate. Cells collapse when depleted and are pushed to the surface by meristem activity, thus providing a continuous supply of new food cells for the nematode.