Quambalaria shoot blight

White spore masses cover diseased tissue caused by Quambalaria on a spotted gum leaf

Quambalaria shoot blight twists and curls new shoots, and distorts and buckles leaves

Quambalaria shoot blight is an infection by the fungus Quambalaria pitereka (previously Ramularia pitereka) that damages new shoots and leaves, affecting growth and form in spotted gums (Corymbia species).

Spotted gum species and provenances (origins) differ in their susceptibility to the fungus. The disease causes most damage in wetter conditions.

Scientific name

Quambalaria pitereka

Other names

Formerly Ramularia pitereka and Sporothrix pitereka

Description

White, shiny or powdery fungal damage on grossly distorted leaves.
Curled or twisted stems.
Spotting and death in new flushes of foliage.
Distorts expanding leaves and young, green stems.
Dieback in leading shoot and upper side branches.

Distribution

Queensland and northern New South Wales.

Hosts

Spotted gum (Corymbia citriodora subsp. variegata)
Lemon scented gum (C. citriodora subsp. citriodora)
Spotted gum (C. maculata)
Large-leaved spotted gum (C. henryi)
Cadaga (C. torelliana) - less common
Corymbia hybrids - less common.

Damage

Causes severe damage in young spotted gum plantations but also on immature leaves of older trees.
Can lead to dieback of the leader shoot and upper side branches.
Shoots distort or die in severe infections, and affected leader shoots or side branches are lost.
Repeated infection can cause a stunted, bushy tree.
Damage varies within plantations.

Resources and research

Carnegie, A, Lawson, SA, Smith, T, Pegg, GS, Stone, C, and McDonald, J 2008, Healthy hardwoods: a field guide to pests, diseases and nutritional disorders in subtropical hardwoods, Forest and Wood Products Australia, Victoria.
Pests and diseases image library (PaDIL)

Last reviewed: 12 Dec 2018
Last updated: 12 Dec 2018

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