Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Hymenoptera
- Suborder: Symphyta (sawflies)
- Family: Tenthredinidae (common sawflies)
- Genus: Euura
- Species: E. samolad
Authority: René Malaise, 1920
Synonyms
- Pontania samolad Malaise, 1921
- Pontania (Pontania) samolad Viitasaari & Vikberg (1985)
- Pontania (Eupontania) samolad Zinovjev (1993)
- Eupontania samolad (Malaise, 1921)
- Euura (Eupontania) samolad Noblecourt (2016)
Description
Euura samolad is a gall‑inducing sawfly. Its larvae develop within characteristic galls formed on the leaves of willow species (Salix). The gall is green to bright red, densely covered with hairs, pea‑sized, and attached narrowly to the underside of the leaf. Known host plants include downy willow (Salix lapponum) and its hybrids.
Distribution
The species occurs in northern Europe, ranging from Scotland, France, and Fennoscandia northward into Russia, possibly extending to the far east of the continent.
Ecology
Adult sawflies lay eggs on suitable willow leaves. Upon hatching, larvae stimulate the plant tissue to produce the protective gall, within which they feed and develop. The gall provides shelter from predators and environmental conditions.
References
- Liston, A. D.; Heibo, E.; Prous, M.; Vardal, H.; Nyman, T.; Vikberg, V. (2017). “North European gall‑inducing Euura sawflies (Hymenoptera, Tenthredinidae, Nematinae)”. Zootaxa 4302 (1): 98–99. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4302.1.1.
- Redfern, M.; Shirley, P.; Bloxham, M. (2011). British Plant Galls (2nd ed.). FSC Publications. pp. 282‑299. ISBN 978‑1‑85153‑284‑1.
- Ellis, W. N. “Euura samolad (Malaise, 1920)”. Plant Parasites of Europe. Retrieved 30 Oct 2018.
The above summary is based on peer‑reviewed taxonomic literature and reputable online databases.
