The immatures are transluecent yellow with two dark spots at the back part of the body. Movement of the immatures is by walking or jumping. As the insect passes between immature stages , it leaves a clear cast skin that has the two dark spots and which looks identical to the leafhopper except for color. These cast skins are an indicator that leafhoppers have been developing on a particular plant because they remain attached to the plant for long periods. If there are several different sized cast skins, it suggests that development on the particular plant is successful.
Adults are the final developmental stage and have completely functional wings.
Because its real eyes are the same yellow as the body, the leafhopper appears to be moving backwards when walking. The life history of this insect is unknown. Graduate student, Mach Fukada, at the University of Hawaii, Entomology Department, is studying the development, host range, distribution and seasonality. Although some host plants are unaffected by leafhopper feeding, most plants fed upon develop a prominent yellowing between leaf veins. Other common symptoms include leaf distortion and stunting of the plant.