This stage is highly mobile and can migrate to leaves and fruit. As it matures, it stops moving, then settles down to feed. It molts, shedding legs and antennae to become flattened, yellow sacs attached to the bark. It then begins to form the typical grey waxy scale covering over its body. These scales also secrete honeydew while feeding.
Honeydew can drop onto leaves and fruit below.
Black sooty mold may grow on this honeydew. This scale is a much greater problem if bushes are not frequently pruned. The best strategy for management of scale insects is an annual pruning of old wood. Putnam and other scales that attack blueberry are principally stem feeders and do not thrive on strong, vigorous wood. Dormant pruning of old, weak canes and scale-encrusted wood prevents the scales from increasing.