Infestations are typically associated with yellowing of the leaves in areas where the scales are present. The coconut scale is classified as an armored scale. Armored scales feed on plant juices. The coconut scale is classified as an armored scale. Armored scales lose their legs and antennae after the first molt.
Females are always wingless and remain under their scale their entire life.
Males have one pair of membranous wings, move about actively in search of females and do not feed during the adult stage. Reproduction is by eggs in most cases, but a few species birth live young. Eggs are protected underneath the scale or shell of the mother insect until they hatch. Duration of developmental stages varies with temperature. Taylor found the total life cycle of females, from egg to the beginning of oviposition, required 34-35 days.