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Lirula macrospora

Spruce needle cast

Description

In lower altitudes the fungus infests juvenile spruces, but in uplands mature trees are also attacked. The infection begins in April, with second growth needles of the previous year being most at risk. During the year the attacked needles wilt, turn brown and drop (needlecast). The following July, transparent aqueous elliptic pimples (spermagonia) appear on the needles which later develop a black margin which is actually the asexual stage of the fungus. After humid springs and summers, hysterothecia (long and thick lateral black stripes) develop in autumn of the same year, whereas a dry season halts the development until next spring. Attacked needles turn brown. In April, two years after infection, the spores mature in the hysterothecia, are extruded into the air and invade fresh needles of the last growth year.

Symptom

Black dashed fruiting bodies on needles.

Tree Species: Spruce

Part of a plant- attacked: Leaf / Needle

Pest significance: Harmful

Pest Category: Fungi

Invasive Species: No

Present in EU: Yes

Last observations

There are a total of 1 observations of the species in the system

Lirula macrospora Spruce needle cast
Mečírová
Number of votes: 0
Published: 10.1.2025

Lirula macrospora Spruce needle cast
Mečírová
Number of votes: 0
Published: 10.1.2025

Lirula macrospora Spruce needle cast
Mečírová
Number of votes: 0
Published: 10.1.2025

Lirula macrospora Spruce needle cast
Mečírová
Number of votes: 0
Published: 10.1.2025