Most often they rest on the undersides of leaves and fly about when plants are disturbed. The citrus whitefly lays yellow eggs with a nearly smooth surface. The eggs are about 0.25 mm long, elliptical, and most frequently laid on young tender leaves. The first instar is the only mobile nymphal stage. After the first instar the nymphs are flattened, oval, and similar in appearance to soft scale insects.
Nymphs are translucent, oval in outline, and very thin.
The leaf color will show through the thin nymphal body, therefore nymphs are difficult to see. The pupal case is very similar to nymphs, but is slightly thickened and more opaque. The red eye spots of the adult are very prominent in developing pupal cases. Pupal case oval in shape, flat, without prominent caudal setae or caudal projections. D, Infested gardenia leaf.