[1] It feeds on the buds, shoots, flower sprigs, and fruits of lychee and longan trees using its piercing and sucking mouthparts.

For this reason, T. papillosa is considered an agricultural pest, causing considerable economic losses for farmers in affected regions.

It has odor glands near the front of the metathoracic side plate and white wax powder covering the ventral surface of the thorax.

Its body is orange, with an outer edge of grey-blue and white dorsal midline and vertical stripes on its abdomen.

T. papillosa eggs are pale green when laid, fading to gray with time.