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Lophodermella sulcigena

Needlecast

Description

Lophodermella sulcigena is the cause of the powdery mildew of pines, especially at higher altitudes. It attacks trees of all age classes, but especially at the age of 10-40 years. To the infection of the needles of the last year, i.e. the youngest needles, it occurs only at the beginning of summer, therefore the length of the infected needles is normal.

Symptom

Symptoms begin to appear in late summer. It is interesting that it usually attacks only one needle of the pair in the brachyblast. The reproductive organs are formed only in the spring, and the spores in them mature in mid-June, and the infection cycle begins anew. Since other known pine beetles attack the oldest years of needles, this beetle is an exception. It is widespread in Slovakia, occurs locally. It was rare in the past. There is information about its occurrence in 1938 and 1959 from Vyšné Hágy and the Tatras.

Tree Species: Pine

Part of a plant- attacked: Leaf / Needle

Pest significance: Harmful

Pest Category: Fungi

Invasive Species: No

Present in EU: Yes