Pathogens and hosts of red band needle blight

 

The pathogens

In Britain the disease is caused by the fungus Dothistroma septosporum, (also known as Mycosphaerella pini or Scirrhia pini), and is a listed quarantine organism. A closely related species, Dothistroma pini, is responsible for red band needle blight in North-Central America.

The hosts

A number of coniferous hosts are affected but pine is particularly susceptible with over 60 pine species reported to be prone to the disease worldwide. In Britain it is Corsican pine (Pinus nigra ssp. laricio) which is the hardest hit, although it has been reported on a further 13 pine species.

Red band needle blight on Corsican pine in Britain

Red band needle blight on lodgepole pine in British Columbia