Fruits may be already infested when less than 1 cm in diameter. Effects of infestation are the same as those of the Chaff Scale. California Red Scale also attacks olive trees. Population increases may occur when parasitic wasps and other beneficials are reduced by the spraying of insecticides. This scale is unisexual and considered ovoviviparous with eggs hatching in 2 to 3 hours after deposit.
New larvae are yellow and infest the terminal portions of the branches.
Adults settle on twigs and form dense colonies. Ants are often associated with this species feeding on the honeydew and driving off or killing beneficials. Populations often build when beneficials are reduced. Heavy infestations leads to reduced tree vitality. The body of the female is reddish brown, and legs and antennae are black, but this color is often masked by mealy wax.