Early stage nymphs feed from the midrib veins of leaves and small twigs, and do the bulk of the damage.

At each molt, they leave at the old feeding point the former skin and the waxy secretions in which they had covered themselves and from which their common name is derived.

Unlike many other scale insects, they retain legs and a limited mobility in all life stages.

Importations of the vedalia ladybird (Novius cardinalis) in 1888–1889 by C. V. Riley, later head of the USDA's Division of Entomology, resulted in swift reductions of I. purchasi populations, saving the burgeoning Californian citrus industry from this destructive pest.

[6] However, following the introduction of insecticides such as DDT and malathion in the 1950s further outbreaks occurred due to resurgence: thought to be caused by drift from airplane spraying during the early spring months.

[6] While there is an apparent rivalry between the two natural enemies of Icerya purchasi, the competition does not affect the efficacy of the control measures when both the beetle and the fly are introduced.

[6] Biological control remains the most effective measure to manage Icerya purchasi infestations.