T.E.R:R.A.I.N - Taranaki Educational Resource: Research, Analysis and Information Network

Aphid (Giant willow aphid) Tuberolachnus salignus

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Sternorrhyncha
Superfamily: Aphidoidea
Family: Aphididae
Genus: Tuberolachnus
Species: T. salignus
Binomial name: Tuberolachnus salignus
Common name: Giant willow aphid

Tuberolachnus salignus 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. The body is patterned with spots and sports a “shark’s fin” tubercle on the dorsum. They are though to come from Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Over summer they can form large dense colonies.
Tuberolachnus salignus was first found in New Zealand at Western Springs Park, Auckland in 2013. Subsequent surveys have revealed that it is already well established throughout much of New Zealand. The host trees found so far found in New Zealand are mainly in the willow species, Salix alba var. vitellina, S. babylonica, S. caprea, S. cinerea, S. fragilis, S. humboldtiana, S. matsudana, S. viminalis, S. x sepulcralis and also Populus nigra.

Overseas studies have shown that giant willow aphid caused drastic growth reductions during and subsequent to infestation, and also altered the mass of previously developed woody tissue.


A colony on a willw branch.



Thanks to Wikipedia for text and information https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/


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