Heaviest infestations are found along roads, where dust on the trees appears to favor mite infestations. Severe infestations can cause defoliation. These pests belong to the class Insecta , order Homoptera , families Diaspididae, Coccidae and Pseudococcidae. They are a major pest to plant crops. Males begin much as females but pupate at the end of the developmental period.
Adult males appear as small two-winged flies without mouth parts.
Females are wingless and usually immobile. All are covered with a waxy or resinous material. Soft scales and mealybugs secrete honeydew. Unlike the other two, armored scales produce a hardened covering and lose their legs. The others may be immobile at some period but may move when under stress.