The life cycle of C. rubi follows the biennial life cycle of blackberry canes. The first-year non-flowering canes, known as primocanes, are infected by conidia that are dispersed by C. rubi fruiting bodies.
The life cycle of C. rubi parallels the biennial development of blackberry canes. The initial year's non-producing canes, called primocanes, are infected by conidia released from C. rubi's fruiting bodies.