Nymphs Newly settled nymphs insert their piercing-sucking mouthparts into plant tissue and start feeding on plant juices. Female nymphs shed their skin twice as they grow and develop. The cast skins, called exuviae, are incorporated into the armor and form a dot. Adults Female latania scales appear larvae-like. They remain under armor in one place throughout their lives to feed and reproduce.
Males are very different in appearance and behavior from females.
The males are tiny, winged creatures with eyes and legs. Mature males emerge from the armor in the late afternoon. They do not feed, and they live for only a few hours to mate. Because of the late emergence and short life of males, it is rare to find them in the field. Parthenogenic races can reproduce without males, because parthenogenic races reproduce asexually.