Rabdophaga rosaria

Rabdophaga rosaria - Rabdophaga strobilina / rosaria agg.

Alternative names
Species aggregate: Rabdophaga strobilina; Cecidomyia rosaria; Cecidomyia cinerearum.
Description

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. 

Similar Species

There are likely to be several similar species galling different Salix host species, but this is not yet established (ref. Redfern and Shirley (2011)

Identification difficulty

Gall (as species aggregate)  Adult

Recording advice

Please accurately identify the species of host plant in your comments; this may help to determine it to the species in the future.  See https://www.naturespot.org/family/salicaceae for guidanne on identifying willows and sallows.

Habitat

On various Willow and Sallow species 

When to see it

Late summer and early autumn.

UK Status

Widespread and probably fairly frequent in Britain, but under recorded.

VC55 Status

Seems to be becoming increasingly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland. The gall recorded at Melton Country Park on 10th September 2014 is believed to be the first record for VC55.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Additional images

All NatureSpot records