Small, immobile, with no visible legs or antennae, they resemble single fish scales on the plant on which they are feeding. Female San Jose scale give birth to living young that emerge from under the edge of the scale covering. These tiny yellow crawlers wander in a random fashion until they find a suitable place to settle. Immediately upon settling, the crawlers insert their mouthparts into the host plant and begin feeding and secreting a white waxy material which eventually turns black. The adult female San Jose scale remains under its gray circular shell.
Adult males are winged and yellowish in color.
There are 2-4 generations per year depending on region. Commercial Peach and Nectarine Insect and Disease Control .