willow aphids

triops · #1 (**permalink**) 18-09-2011, 04:27 PM

Hi folks,

I'm interested in the large Willow Aphid, Tuberolachnus salignus which occurs in large colonies on stems of Willow and other Salix spp.
I've not been able to find any colonies this year, despite looking in all the usual places and even farther afield. I'd be very interested to hear if anyone at all has seen any, and in what part of the country.
Many thanks.

healfdan · #2 (**permalink**) 18-09-2011, 05:06 PM

Hello

I have encountered a similar problem with no sightings of the large willow aphid this year on a 1.3 ha site which has a large pond and four species of willows. For the past two years 2009/10 I recorded a very large colony using the same Goat Willow but despite constant monitoring throughout the spring and summer, no luck this year. Interesting to see if other sites have noticed a drop in colonies.

Bruce Williams · #3 (**permalink**) 18-09-2011, 06:57 PM

I've come across several solitary individuals (both winged and flightless) over the last couple of weeks. I visit this Bucks site regularly (large pond and several willow trees) and have certainly known years when they were more plentiful.

Bruce

poschiavanus · #4 (**permalink**) 19-09-2011, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by healfdan

Hello

I have encountered a similar problem with no sightings of the large willow aphid this year on a 1.3 ha site which has a large pond and four species of willows. For the past two years 2009/10 I recorded a very large colony using the same Goat Willow but despite constant monitoring throughout the spring and summer, no luck this year. Interesting to see if other sites have noticed a drop in colonies.

This species is fairly notorious for 'disappearing' during the spring & summer: there has been a lot of recent interest (for instance, Dr. C.M Collins at Imperial) in it's life-cycle as a pest of willow grown as biofuel. See this fact sheet from the NHM.