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Dothistroma septosporum

Dothistroma needle blight

Description

The infection of needles occurs from early May until the end of September. The first symptoms present pale yellow to brown stains reminiscent of wounds created by insect sucking. In November, the infected needles are already brown, and by the end of December brick-red stains and even transverse stripes appear on brown needles. Pycnidia are black lumps breaking in on epidermis, in spring conidia having been formed in them. The asexual stage of the fungus is Mycosphaerella pini, in Central Europe it is the stage more often found. The infection can be intense. The pathogen is common in warmer, southern parts of Central Europe.

Symptom

Pale yellow to brown spots, which also resemble the wounds after being sucked by insects on needles.

Tree Species: Pine

Part of a plant- attacked: Leaf / Needle

Pest significance: Very harmful

Pest Category: Fungi

Invasive Species: Yes

Present in EU: Yes