The adult scale insect is a glossy pale green colour with black internal markings that are visible through the chitinous body wall.

When a large number of scale insects are present, their collective feeding causes a yellowing of the leaves which may later fall, a loss of plant vigour and a reduction in crop yield.

Sooty mould fungus often grows on the honeydew and this decreases the area of leaf available for photosynthesis, spoils the appearance of the plant and reduces the marketability of fruit.

[8] This scale is often associated with ants which feed on the honeydew excreted and defend the insects from attack by predators such as lady beetles.

Another research study conducted in the field found a positive correlation between the presence of ants on host plants and the success of green scale insects.

[11] A study found that the entomopathogenic fungus, Cephalosporium lecanii, was highly effective in controlling coffee green scale.

[12] A study examined the effect of the fungus on coffee green scale in combination with lower than normal applications of either of two insecticides, fenthion and phosphamidon.