Dorytomus taeniatus

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Dorytomus taeniatus is a small weevil found in Europe. It was first described by the scientist Johann Christian Fabricius in 1781.

Life cycle: The female lays eggs in autumn in the axils of willow catkin buds. The eggs hatch in spring. The larvae create a small growth, called a gall, on the catkins (usually on female catkins) by thickening the rachis. The catkins often drop early, and the larvae pupate in the soil.

Identification: Sometimes the thickening can be wound tissue rather than a true gall, so careful check is needed. Identification is easiest by examining the adult weevils.

Host plants: Galls have been found on several willows, including white willow (S. alba), eared willow (S. aurita), goat willow (S. caprea), grey willow (S. cinerea), and purple willow (S. purpurea).

Adults: The adults are about 4–5 mm long and brownish-black to black. From May onward, they feed on the leaves, biting away patches of tissue and exposing the leaf veins.

Distribution: This species is found across western and central Europe, including Great Britain and Scandinavia.