Rabdophaga nervorum

Rabdophaga nervorum is a gall midge which forms galls on the leaves of sallows (Salix species).

Rabdophaga nervorum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Family: Cecidomyiidae
Genus: Rabdophaga
Species:
R. nervorum
Binomial name
Rabdophaga nervorum
(Kieffer, 1895)
Synonyms

Rhabdophaga nervorum (Kieffer)
Dichelomyia nervorum Kieffer, 1895

Description

The genus Salix supports many galls, some of which are difficult to identify, particularly those caused by the gall midges in the genus Rabdophaga.

Rabdophaga nervorum forms galls on the midrib of leaves on sallows. The gall is an approximately 2–3 mm, spindle-shaped swelling on the underside of the midrib of a leaf. The swelling is not hard and contains a single, pale yellow larva.[1] Pupation occurs within the gall.[2]

The gall has been found on white willow (S. alba), S. appendiculata, eared willow (S. aurita), Babylon willow (S. babylonica), goat willow (S. caprea), grey willow (S. cinerea), olive willow (S. elaeagnos), crack willow (S. fragilis), black willow (S. nigra), bay willow (S. pentandra), tea-leaved willow (S. phylicifolia) and purple willow (S. purpurea).[2]

Distribution

Rabdophaga nervorum has been found in Finland, France, Germany and Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales).[3]

References
  1. Redfern, Margaret; Shirley, Peter; Boxham, Michael (2011). British Plant Galls (Second ed.). Shrewsbury: Field Study Council. pp. 282–299. ISBN 978 185153 284 1.
  2. Ellis, W N. "Rabdophaga nervorum (Kieffer, 1895)". Plant Parasites of Europe. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  3. "Rabdophaga nervorum (Kieffer, 1895)". Fauna Europaea. Retrieved 21 March 2018.

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