Rabdophaga heterobia

Rabdophaga heterobia is a species of gall midges which has two generations a year and forms galls on almond willow (Salix triandra). It was first described by Hermann Loew in 1850.

Rabdophaga heterobia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Family: Cecidomyiidae
Genus: Rabdophaga
Species:
R. heterobia
Binomial name
Rabdophaga heterobia
(Loew, 1850)
Synonyms[1]
Dasineura heterobia

Cecidomyia heterobia Loew, 1850
Rhabdophaga heterobia (Low, F.)

Description

There are two generations a year; larvae of the spring generation gall catkins while the summer generation is a swollen bud which partly opens and the larvae live amongst the tiny leaves.[2][3]

Spring generation

A distinct, downy, ovoid swelling at the tip or base of a male catkin. The scales and stamen are thickened and contain several light red larvae which pupate in the gall. According to Redfern et al (2011) S. heterobia galls male catkins (also recorded in Belgium) while in Hungary the gall has been recorded on female catkins which show disfigured yellow, swollen, hairy, fruitlets.[2][3]

Summer generation

The gall is an enlarged bud which partly opens into a hairy rosette, and the orange-red larvae feed amongst the tiny leaves. Pupation takes place in the soil.[2][3]

The gall has been reported on mountain willow (Salix arbuscula) and purple willow (Salix purpurea) which is probably incorrect.[3]

Distribution

Belgium, Hungary and the United Kingdom where it is common.[2][3]

Inquilines

Lestodiplosis heterobiae is an inquiline of R. heterobia.

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References
  1. "Checklists containing Rabdophaga heterobia (Loew, 1850)". Natural History Museum. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  2. Redfern, Margaret; Shirley, Peter; Bloxham, Michael (2011). British Plant Galls (Second ed.). Shrewsbury: FSC Publications. pp. 282–299. ISBN 978 1 85153 284 1.
  3. Ellis, W N. "Rabdophaga heterobia (Loew, 1850)". Plant Parasites of Europe. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
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