In Thailand it is prevalent in the north-east of the country where bamboo of the genus Arundinaria is found.

[2] The female lays eggs singly in soil at the base of the host plants.

Stages 1 to 4 remain in the soil for 3–4 months where they feed upon the roots of the adult host plants.

Adult beetles have a short lifespan of 1–3 weeks, though the complete life cycle takes up to two years.

[2] Sternocera ruficornis and the similar S. aequisignata are both consumed by humans as a source of food in northern Thailand, Laos, and China.