The female s body is underneath the armor. Nymphs resemble adult scale insects but are smaller and female nymphs lack the spot. Intermediate adult females overwinter and produce a clutch of eggs underneath their scales in the spring. Adult females develop from the second nymphal stage in about 12 days, and winged males develop through this stage for about 5 days before emerging as winged adults 7 or 8 days later. Development from egg to adult can occur within 35 to 40 days.
Males seek female scale insects and mate.
Mated females begin laying eggs after about 16 days. Three generations occur annually. In addition to peach and plum trees, this species also infests catalpa, chinaberry, French mulberry, lilac, persimmon, privet and walnut. In severe cases, they appear as white, cottony masses encrusting the bark of the tree. These scale insects can also occur on leaves and fruit.