Settled nymphs are light golden in color, flat, oval, and adhering so closely to the leaf surfaces as to be nearly transparent. Males are unknown. Tessellated scale is a tropical species whose original home was probably South America. It has been disseminated by man to all parts of the world on its cultivated hosts. Tessellated scale occurs most commonly on palms and several species of Ficus, but it has been found on a wide variety of host plants.
Tesselated scale is primarily a leaf-infesting soft scale and a greenhouse pest.
Heavy infestations weaken the plant but seldom kill it. Infestations are often of economic importance in commercial nurseries whenever pest management programs are neglected. One or two generations per year, and in greenhouses generations will overlap. Tessellated scale is parthenogenetic and ovoviviparous, giving birth to living young. Males are unknown.