Farm Forestry New Zealand
PESTS AND DISEASES OF FORESTRY IN NEW ZEALAND
Lophodermium spp.
Scion is the leading provider of forest-related knowledge in New Zealand
Formerly known as the Forest Research Institute, Scion has been a leader in research relating to forest health for over 50 years. The Rotorua-based Crown Research Institute continues to provide science that will protect all forests from damage caused by insect pests, pathogens and weeds. The information presented below arises from these research activities.
From Scion publication Forest Research Bulletin 220,
An Introduction to The Diseases of Forest and Amenity Trees in New Zealand,
G.S.Ridley and M.A. Dick 2001.
Species: Lophodermiurn pinastri and L. conigenum (Ascomycete)
Common name: None
Country of origin: Northern Hemisphere
Host(s): Pinus spp.
Symptoms: Canoe-shaped fruit-bodies on dead needles (Fig. 35, 36). These species are not pathogenic and do not cause needle cast. They are endophytes that live in live needle tissue and fruit when the needles are cast. Spectacular fruitings often occur when the host sheds all of its needles for some other reason, possibly abiotic, and this can be misinterpreted as being caused by Lophodermium pinastri and L. conigenum.
Disease development: Spores are wind dispersed. Infection requirements are not known.
Fig. 35: Lophodermium conigenum fruit-bodies on dead needles and needle tips of Pinus radiata
Fig. 36: Fruit-body of Lophodermium pinastri on Pinus radiata
NZ distribution: Throughout New Zealand.
Economic impact: None.
Control: Not considered necessary.
References: Johnston 1992; Minter 1981.
This information is intended for general interest only. It is not intended to be a substitute for specific specialist advice on any matter and should not be relied on for that purpose. Scion will not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or exemplary damages, loss of profits, or any other intangible losses that result from using the information provided on this site.
(Scion is the trading name of the New Zealand Forest Research Institute Limited.)
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