Reproduction occurs when temporary pools fill with water. Larger females have higher fecundity, the clutch size ranging from eight to 61 eggs. The eggs can withstand a period of desiccation when the pool is dry; they will then hatch within three weeks of the pool refilling, often much more quickly. Desiccation is not required for hatching, however. The larva hatches as a metanauplius. It undergoes ecdysis, or molting, several times, growing more phyllopods each time. "L. packardi" takes about 38 days to mature, reproduces around its 54th day of life, and lives about 144 days. It is sexually mature when it is in carapace length. Fecundity is much reduced in individuals which are infested with a parasitic echinostome fluke.