It feeds only on magnolia. This species is native to the United States and is widely distributed throughout the eastern United States. The overwintering nymphs are dark gray with a red-brown median ridge. Mature female magnolia scale. Nymphs mature in late July through early August.
Males emerge about the same time as small fly-like insects which mate with females and then die.
Females later give birth to living young called crawlers in late August or early September. These nymphs or crawlers wander about for a short period of time prior to settling down on the young twigs where they overwinter. Life history of magnolia scale in Pennsylvania. M. soulangean a. They also attack other cultivars but usually with less frequency.