Pterocomma rufipes (Hartig, 1841)
on Salix
rufous willow-bark aphid
Salix cinerea, Biddinghuizen, Spijk- en Bremerbergbos © Hans Jonkman
ant attendance by Lasius fuliginosus
the yellow, swollen siphunculi are conspicuous
gall
aphids on the young branches, intensely attended by ants. Characteristic is that the yellowish siphunculi are not cylindrical but more or less swollen. Alatae have a pattern of darkened transversal bands on the abdomen; the intensity is variable; in the pictures above it is quite strong. There is no host plant alternation. The aphids feed on the young, barely lignified shoots.
hostplants
Salicaceae, monophagous
Salix alba, babylonica, caprea, cinerea, elaeagnos, “x fragilis”, gmelinii, lapponum, mollissima, myrsinifolia, pentandra, phylicifolia, purpurea, triandra, viminalis.
Rarely also Populus balsamifera.
references
Blackman & Eastop (2017), Börner & Franz (1956a), Heie (1986a), Influential Points (2017), Lampel & Meier (2003a), Osiadacz & Wojciechowski (2008a), Petrović (1998a), Tambs-Lyche & Heie (1984a).