Rabdophaga jaapi is a species of gall midges which forms galls on creeping willow (Salix repens).
| Rabdophaga jaapi | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Diptera |
| Family: | Cecidomyiidae |
| Genus: | Rabdophaga |
| Species: | R. jaapi
|
| Binomial name | |
| Rabdophaga jaapi Rübsaamen, 1916
| |
| Synonyms | |
|
Dasineura repentis Skuhrava, 1986 | |
Description edit
The gall is an enlarged bud on S. repens. It is surrounded with small thickened leaves which have short silver-white hairs.[1] Correct identification of the species of Salix is important for the identification of R. jaapi, because it is similar to R. rosariella, which forms galls on sallows.[a] The gall of R. jaapi can also be positively identified by the single reddish-yellow larva which has a sternal spatula, i.e. ″... a structure on the underside of the thorax of the final (third) instar larva of Cecidomyiidae...″.[1][2]
The species has one generation a year (i.e. univoltine) and the larva hibernates in the gall where it pupates.[3]
Distribution edit
Has been found in Denmark and Great Britain.
Notes edit
- ^ In this case sallow refers to S. aurita, S. caprea and S. cinerea.
References edit
- ^ a b Redfern, Margaret; Shirley, Peter; Bloxham, Michael (2011). British Plant Galls (Second ed.). Shrewsbury: FSC Publications. pp. 282–299. ISBN 978-1-85153-284-1.
- ^ "Rabdophaga ?jaapi". Dorset Nature. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
- ^ Ellis, W N. "Rabdophaga jaapi". Plant Parasites of Europe. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
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