Dorytomus taeniatus

Dorytomus taeniatus is a species of weevil native to Europe.[2][3] It was first described by Johann Christian Fabricius in 1781. The larvae cause a small growth (known as a gall) on the catkins of willows (Salix species).

Dorytomus taeniatus
Dorytomus taeniatus 3-4,5 mm
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Coleoptera
Suborder:
Polyphaga
Family:
Curculionidae
Genus:
Dorytomus
Species:
D. taeniatus
Binomial name
Dorytomus taeniatus
(Fabricius, 1781)[1]

Description

Eggs are laid during the autumn in the axils of catkin buds and hatch the following spring.[4] The larvae cause an inconspicuous distortion of, usually, female catkins, thickening the rachis.[5] Catkins drop earlier than uninfected catkins and the larvae pupate in the soil.

[6] Close examination of the gall is necessary as Redfern et al. (2011) note that sometimes, thickening of the rachis can be wound tissue rather than a gall and according to Plant Parasites of Europe identification is only possible by examining the weevils.[5][6]

The gall has been recorded from white willow (S. alba), eared willow (S. aurita'), goat willow (S. caprea), grey willow (S. cinerea) and purple willow (S.purpurea).[6]

Adults are 4–5 millimetres (0.16–0.20 in) long and brownish-black to black. They can be found from May onwards, browsing on the leaves, removing patches of tissue and exposing the network of fine veins.[4]

Distribution

Found in western and central Europe including Great Britain (common) and Scandinavia.[7]

References
  1. Fabricius, J.C. 1781. Species insectorum; exhibentes eorum differentias specificas, synonyma, auctorum, loca natalia, metamorphosin ediectis observationibus, descriptionibus. Carol. Ernest. Bohnii, Hamburgi et Kilonii
  2. Morris, M.G. (2012) True Weevils. (Coleoptera: Curculioninae, Baridinae, Oroitidinae). Part III. Royal Entomological Society of London Handbook 5 (17d).
  3. Hoffmann, A. (1950, 1954, 1958) Coléoptères curculionides. Parties I, II, III. Paris: Éditions Faune de France. Bibliothèque virtuelle numérique pdfs
  4. Alford, David V (2012). Pests of Ornamental Trees, Shrubs and Flowers: A Color Handbook. Waltham: Academic Press. p. 155. ISBN 978 0 12 398515 6.
  5. Redfern, Margaret; Shirley, Peter; Boxham, Michael (2011). British Plant Galls (Second ed.). Shrewsbury: Field Study Council. pp. 282–299. ISBN 978 185153 284 1.
  6. Ellis, W N. "Dorytomus taeniatus (Fabricius, 1781)". Plant Parasites of Europe. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
  7. "Dorytomus taeniatus". Encyclopedia of Life. Retrieved 11 July 2019.

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