First instar nymphs are crawlers. Later instar are light green, oval, flattened and are attached to the leaf surface. They resemble soft-scale insects. Both adults and young feed on the under side of the leaves. Very heavy feeding causes mottling, chlorosis, and eventually death of leaves.
Honey dew is excreted and glazes over lower leaves, allows for development of sooty mold.
Common pest in greenhouses. Causes a decrease in marketability and yield. Some species transmit virus-like organisms which cause losses in crops in Arizona and California. Parasites, beneficial insects, and pesticides.