They are without wings and brownish in color. Only females are found. Winged individuals tend to have darker abdomens and be slightly thinner. The incidence of winged individuals is dependent on the population density and leaf age. Reproduction is partheneogenic or non sexual.
Females start reproducing soon after becoming adults.
They produce 5 to 7 live young per day, up to a total of about 50 young per female. This is the only aphid with an audible stridulation or high piercing sound caused by the aphid rubbing two parts of it body together much like crickets. Large colonies will produce this scrapping sound when they are disturbed. Sometimes to the extent that insecticides are usually unnecessary. Predators in Hawaii include Allograpta obliqua Say, Chrysopa basalis , Chrysopa microphya McLachlan, Coccinella inaequalis Fabricius, Coelophora inaequalis , Platyomus lividigaster Mulsant and Scymnodes lividgaster .