White Willow - Salix alba

Willow Redgall Sawfly

The larvae of the Willow Redgall Sawfly (Euura proxima) produce galls on narrow-leaved willows such as Hybrid Crack-willow (Salix x fragilis) and White Willow (Salix alba).  The gall is bean-shaped, starting off green but gradually turning red. It is smooth with a thick wall and protrudes from both the upper and lower leaf surface.

Euura salicis

The distinctive larvae of Euura salicis feed on the leaves of narrow-leaved willows such as Hybrid Crack-willow and White Willow feeding along the leaf edge.

Willow-carrot Aphid

The Willow-carrot aphid (Cavariella aegopodii) host alternates from Willows (Salix sp.) to umbellifers (Apiaceae). The preferred primary hosts are Hybrid Crack-willow and White Willow.

Chaitophorus salijaponicus subsp. niger

The aphid Chaitophorus salijaponicus subsp. niger live separately or in small colonies on the leaves of narrow-leaved Willows such as Hybrid Crack-willow or White Willow.  The adult apterae are usually uniformly blackish-brown.

Rufous Willow Bark Aphid

The Rufous Willow Bark Aphid (Pterocomma rufipes) primarily lives on the twigs and young branches of a variety of Salix species. It can be found on both broad-leaved willows such as Grey Willow and Goat Willow and also on narrow-leaved willows such as Hybrid Crack-willow and White Willow.  

Black Willow Bark Aphid

Black Willow Bark Aphid (Pterocomma salicis) uses a variety of Salix species including Osier, White Willow, Goat Willow, Grey Willow, and Hybrid Crack-willow. These are large greenish black to black aphids 3.2 - 4.5 mm in length with pale grey spots of waxy powder. The siphunculi are bright orange. The legs and antennae are pinkish-brown.

Giant Willow Aphid

The Giant Willow Aphid (Tuberolachnus salignus) is found primarily in large colonies on the trunks and branches of willow and sallow trees. Giant Willow Aphids are dark brown with a peppering of black spots but can appear grey from a white dust which forms on them. It is an unusually large aphid, measuring up to 6mm long. Adults of the species have a thorn-like tubercle which protrudes from its back. As with other species of aphid, some giant willow aphids are winged; an adaptation believed to emerge in reaction to environmental pressures. The aphids splay their back legs and kick in response to potential threats.

Stigmella obliquella

The larva of the moth Stigmella obliquella mines the leaves of various smooth-leaved willows including Weeping Willow, Purple Willow, Osier, White Willow and Hybrid Crack-willow causing an angular gallery mine

Phyllonorycter pastorella

The larva of the moth Phyllonorycter pastorella mines the leaves of some smooth-leaved willows such as Weeping Willow, White Willow and Hybrid Crack-willow. The mines are large and have a single sharp crease on the undeside.

Rabdophaga rosaria

The midge larvae of Rabdophaga strobilina / rosaria agg. cause a conspicuous rosette shaped gall to form in the terminal bud of various willows especially White Willow. Often more than 20 mm across the gall has a central chamber which contains a pink or red larva. The galls often remain on the host plant through winter. 

Aculus tetanothrix

Aculus tetanothrix is a mite that causes rounded, sometimes reddened galls to form on the leaves of willows, particularly White Willow.  Small reddish pustules or pouches on the leaf upperside have slit like opening underneath; they are hairy inside but the hairs do not protrude through opening.  The galls may also form on the leaf margins.

Phyllocnistis saligna

The larva of the moth Phyllocnistis saligna mines the leaves of various smooth-leaved willows, causing a thin silvery mine like a snail-trail in the upper epidermis of the leaf, and contuning down the twig to mine another leaf. Pupation is under a leaf-fold at the edge of a leaf. 

Phyllocnistis saligna has been shown to be a complex of several species, and it is likely that most (all?) VC55 records are actually referable to Phyllocnistis asiatica. The status of both species is under review, via both host species and mine morphology, along with DNA analysis. In the meantime, records entered as Phyllocnistis saligna where no dissection of an adult female has been completed are considered to be Phyllocnistis saligna/asiatica agg., and will be re-determined as such if/when a UKSI species code is created for this purpose.