Dorytomus taeniatus is a species of weevil native to Europe.[1] [2] It was first described by Johann Christian Fabricius in 1781. The larvae cause a small growth (known as a gall) on the catkins of willows (Salix species).
Eggs are laid during the autumn in the axils of catkin buds and hatch the following spring.[3] The larvae cause an inconspicuous distortion of, usually, female catkins, thickening the rachis.[4] Catkins drop earlier than uninfected catkins and the larvae pupate in the soil.[5] Close examination of the gall is necessary as Redfern et al. (2011) note that sometimes, thickening of the rachis can be wound tissue rather than a gall and according to Plant Parasites of Europe identification is only possible by examining the weevils.[4] [5]
The gall has been recorded from white willow (S. alba), eared willow (S. aurita'), goat willow (S. caprea), grey willow (S. cinerea) and purple willow (S.purpurea).[5]
Adults are long and brownish-black to black. They can be found from May onwards, browsing on the leaves, removing patches of tissue and exposing the network of fine veins.[3]
Found in western and central Europe including Great Britain (common) and Scandinavia.[6]