EPPO Global Database

Melampsora medusae(MELMME)

Distribution details in New Zealand

Situation
Current pest situation evaluated by EPPO on the basis of information dated 1998: Present, widespread
First recorded in: 1973
From CABI Disease map 547 (1991): Present, restricted distribution
From NPPO: Present, widespread
Comments
Recorded in Australia in 1972 and spread as windblown spores to New Zealand in 1973.

EPPO Reporting Service (1998/188) : a hybrid with M. larici-populina (known as M. medusae-populina) caused a serious outbreak on rust-resistant poplar cvs in 1991. Failed to overwinter but has reappeared in 1998 in North Island.
References
* Kraayenoord, C. W. S. Van; Laundon, G. F.; Spiers, A. G. (1974) Poplar rusts invade New Zealand. Plant Disease Reporter 58, 423-427.

* McMillan, R. (1973) New Zealand Journal of Agriculture 127 (3), 26-27.
------- The spread to North Island in Mar.-May 1973 is mapped.

* Spiers, A.G. (1998) Melampsora and Marssonina pathogens of poplars and willows in new Zealand. European Journal of Forest Pathology, 28(4), 233-240.

* Wilkinson, A. G.; Spiers, A. G. (1976) New Zealand Journal of Science 19 (2), 195-198.
------- Thought to have spread to New Zealand from Australia via trans-Tasman air currents during Mar. 1973. Initially spread throughout Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty. By 1975, it remained confined to scattered trees at Whangarei, Gisborne, Hamilton, Napier and Palmerston North; it had not spread to the South Island.