Shield-shaped true bug. Both the adult and young are black with brilliant dorsal area colored red or yellow. These sucking bugs cause plants to wilt and leaves to turn brown as if scalded.
They pass the winter as adults with true hibernation doubtful. The three stages are egg, nymph, and adult. Egg masses are deposited in double rows and average 12 in number. Generations require 50 to 80 days.
