Fungi on red raspberry from lesions associated with feeding wounds of cane midge (Resseliella theobaldi)

Abstract

SUMMARYTwo types of vascular lesion are described from the base of canes in plantations infested by raspberry cane midge (Resseliella theobaldi); (1) brown lobate lesions (‘patches’) confined to midge feeding areas, (2) brown lesions spreading proximally and distally from the point of infection (‘stripes’). Either or both types of lesion may be presented in individual canes. Isolations from (1) produced principally Fusarium avenaceum; isolations from tissues where (1) and (2) are contiguous gave Leptosphaeria coniothyrium and F. avenaceum; isolations from (2) arising from old cane stub wounds in the absence of midge gave L. coniothyrium.The important secondary role of fungi in the midge blight complex is confirmed, but the involvement of L. coniothyrium in the complex is unclear because it also infects stub wounds on midge‐infested canes.