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Sphaeropsis sapinea

Diplodia tip blight

Description

The fungus is a serious pathogen causing dieback of current year’s sprouts. The infection of needles and sprouts occurs in spring, during their flushing through a fleshy shoot in the stage of “candles”. The mycelium spreads rapidly and rounds the sprout before the needles finish their development. The shortened needles are pale brown by summer. As a result, the tree increases resin production. The mycelium spreads onto needle bases too and also infects cones and stem, where pycnidia are formed. The fungus can cause tree dieback.

Symptom

Tiny dots on cones, shortened needles.

Tree Species: Pine, Douglas Fir

Part of a plant- attacked: Leaf / Needle, Fruit / Seed

Pest significance: Very harmful

Pest Category: Fungi

Invasive Species: No

Present in EU: Yes

Last observations

There are a total of 12 observations of the species in the system

Sphaeropsis sapinea Diplodia tip blight
Silvelia
Number of votes: 0
Published: 20.2.2026

Sphaeropsis sapinea Diplodia tip blight
zdenka
Number of votes: 0
Published: 25.11.2024

Sphaeropsis sapinea Diplodia tip blight
BZ
Number of votes: 0
Published: 31.7.2024

Sphaeropsis sapinea Diplodia tip blight
BZ
Number of votes: 0
Published: 31.7.2024

Sphaeropsis sapinea Diplodia tip blight
BZ
Number of votes: 0
Published: 31.7.2024