Adults are 1–2 mm in length, with yellowish bodies and four wax-coated wings held near parallel to the leaf surface.

During the fourth and final immature life-stage, referred to as the "pupa", compound eyes and other body tissues become visible as the nymph thickens and rises from the leaf-surface.

[1] All life-stages apart from eggs and "pupae" cause crop damage through direct feeding, inserting their stylet into leaf veins and extracting nourishment from the phloem sap.

[2] Effective control has been provided for many years through the release of beneficial insects, such as the aphelinid parasitoid, Encarsia formosa (Gahan).

If required, integrated pest management strategies can incorporate applications of selective chemical insecticides or biopesticides such as Lecanicillium muscarium that complement these natural enemies.