Aphis gossypii primarily infests young Eucalyptus trees, including seedlings and saplings in nurseries and newly established plantation compartments. Damage to the trees occurs both directly through aphid feeding and indirectly via sooty mold growth, which develops as a result of honeydew excreted by the aphids. Feeding activity can cause leaf discoloration and die-back. During severe infestations, premature leaf drop, leaf curling, malformation, and stunting may occur due to damage to primordial leaves. The ability of plants to recover from infestation depends on their overall vigor and stress levels. 

Aphis gossypii possesses a broad host range, encompassing up to 900 plant species across more than 100 families, enabling its global distribution across tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions. Its life cycle varies with climate, exhibiting anholocyclic reproduction through asexual females in warmer regions, and holocyclic reproduction involving both sexual and asexual phases in cooler climates, either on one host (autoecious) or two hosts (heteroecious). Winged adults, including both males and females, disperse primarily during daylight hours, with flight being most active from sunrise to early afternoon, and no flight occurring after dark. Egg laying occurs in protected plant sites and appears to be more driven by safeguarding of offspring eggs than the plant part.