The first sign of greedy scale is the presence of armor on upper and lower leaf surfaces, fruits, and stems of plants. When crowded the shape is irregular. Male armor is smaller and oval rather than round. The armor must be pried off to reveal the insect attached to the plant by thread-like mouthparts that start at the middle of the body and are as long or longer than the body. The adult female insect lacks wings, legs, or eyes.
Dead ones are dark brown and are dried rather than plump.
Since scales are spread by introduction of infested material they are a quarantine problem on exported potted plants, cut flowers, and cut foliage. EGGS Eggs are laid under the armor of the female where they develop and hatch. The first stage after hatching is the only nymphal stage with legs, so the insects are called crawlers. The crawler stage is short, and crawlers do not feed. Crawlers may stay under the maternal armor several hours until outside conditions, especially temperature and humidity, are good.