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.

host plants

Salicaceae, monophagous

Salix alba, babylonica, caprea, cinerea, elaeagnos, “x fragilis”, gmelinii, lapponum, mollissima, myrsinifolia, pentandra, phylicifolia, purpurea, triandra, viminalis.

Rarely also Populus balsamifera.

synonyms

Pterocomma ringdahli Wahlgren, 1940.

references

Blackman & Eastop (2017), Börner & Franz (1956a), Heie (1986a), Hellrigl (2004a), Influential Points (2017), Lampel & Meier (2003a), Osiadacz & Wojciechowski (2008a), Petrović (1998a), Tambs-Lyche & Heie (1984a), Wojciechowski, Depa, Halgoš ao (2016a).