Some species may reproduce asexually, by parthenogenesis. Classification Coccoidea is in the suborder Homoptera of order Hemiptera class Insecta, phylum Arthropoda. The hindwings are reduced to knoblike stalks, which are attached to the fore pair by means of a threadlike structure. They are covered with a powdery waxlike secretion which may extend beyond the body as threads or filaments. The eggs are laid in an egg sac made up of waxy filaments secreted by the female.
Soft scales are generally larger than the mealy bugs and the bodies of the nymphs are soft.
The adult females, in contrast, have a hard dorsal exoskeleton. The nymphal stage represents the active wandering phase, and the nymph possesses legs and antennae. The adult female's legs are much reduced and it develops into a flattened scalelike creature that clings firmly to the plant. When males are present they are winged. The female lays her eggs under her body and often secretes wax to form an egg sac.