Tuberolachnus salignus

Species of true bug

Tuberolachnus salignus
Tuberolachnus salignus, showing dorsal tubercle
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Hemiptera
Suborder:
Sternorrhyncha
Superfamily:
Aphidoidea
Family:
Aphididae
Genus:
Tuberolachnus
Species:
T. salignus
Binomial name
Tuberolachnus salignus
Gmelin, 1790

Tuberolachnus salignus, or the giant willow aphid, is a species of aphid, in the genus Tuberolachnus. They are reputed to be the largest aphids, with a body length of up to 5.8mm.[1][2] First described by Johann Friedrich Gmelin in 1790, it feeds on many species of willow (Salix species), and has one known specific parasite, Pauesia salignae.[2]

Tuberolachnus salignus does not require a male for reproduction. Only females have ever been recorded, which suggests that reproduction is parthenogenetic and all offspring produced are genetically identical clones.[3]

Host plants

Tuberolachnus salignus is known to feed primarily on willow and Salix tree species such as the white willow (Salix alba), the common sallow (Salix cinerea')[3] and the Indian willow (Salix tetrasperma).[4] The following host tree species have also been recorded:

References

  1. ^ "Tuberolachnus salignus". Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  2. ^ a b "Giant Willow Aphid (Tuberolachnus salignus) Have we solved one of its mysteries?". Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  3. ^ a b "Tuberolachnus salignus Giant willow aphid". Influential Points. 2023-02-12. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
  4. ^ Hussain, Barkat & War, Abdul Rasheed & Singh, Satnam & Ahmad, Shanawaz. (2021). First Record of an Invasive Pest, Giant Willow Aphid, Tuberolachnus salignus (Gmelin) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on Salix alba in the Cold Arid Region of Ladakh, India. Entomological News. 129. 10.3157/021.129.0508.
  5. ^ a b c Horton, Helena (2023-02-12). "Have you seen this bug? Scientists call on Britain's gardeners to track elusive aphid". The Guardian. Retrieved 2023-02-12.

Further reading

  • Collins, C. Matilda; Leather, Simon R. (2001). "Effect of temperature on fecundity and development of the Giant Willow Aphid, Tuberolachnus salignus (Sternorrhyncha: Aphididae)". European Journal of Entomology. 98 (2): 177–182. doi:10.14411/eje.2001.033. ISSN 1210-5759.
  • Collins, 1C Matilda; Rosado, Rui G.; Leather, Simon R. (2001). "The impact of the aphids Tuberolachnus salignus and Pterocomma salicis on willow trees". Annals of Applied Biology. 138 (2): 133–140. doi:10.1111/j.1744-7348.2001.tb00095.x. ISSN 0003-4746.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  • Mittler, T.E. 1957: Studies on the feeding and nutrition of Tuberolachnus salignus (Gmelin) (Homoptera, Aphididae) I. The uptake of phloem sap. Journal of Experimental Biology, 34: 334-341. Abstract and full article (PDF)
Taxon identifiers
Tuberolachnus salignus


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