Healthy hardwoods A field guide to pests, diseases and nutritional disorders in subtropical hardwoods A field guide to pests, diseases and nutritional disorders in subtropical hardwoods. This field guide will assist identification of common damaging , fungi and nutritional disorders in young eucalypt plantations in subtropical eastern .

The guide was compiled by Angus Carnegie, Christine Stone (NSW Department of Primary Industries), Simon Lawson, Tim Smith, Geoff Pegg and Janet McDonald (Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Queensland).

Cite this publication as: Carnegie AJ, Lawson SA, Smith TE, Pegg GS, Stone C, McDonald JM, (2008) Healthy hardwoods: a field guide to pests, diseases and nutritional disorders in subtropical hardwoods, Forest & Products Australia, Victoria.

Previously published as: Carnegie AJ (2002) Field guide to common pests and diseases in eucalypt plantations in NSW. Research & Development Division, State Forests of . © 2002 State Forests of New South Wales ISBN 0 7347 2460 8 CS4025 05/15

© 2008 Forest & Wood Products Australia All rights reserved Healthy hardwoods While every care has been taken in preparing this publication, Forest & Wood Products Australia accepts no responsibility for decisions or actions taken as A field guide to a result of any data, information, statement or advice, expressed or implied, pests, diseases and contained in this publication. Forest & Wood Products Australia nutritional disorders in PO Box 69 subtropical hardwoods World Trade Centre VIC 8005 Angus Carnegie, Simon Lawson, Tim Smith, Geoff Pegg, AUSTRALIA Christine Stone and Janet McDonald.

Contents

About this guide vii Gumtree bugs 53 Winter bronzing bug 55 Acknowledgements viii Leaf spotting bug 57

Insects Gall forming 59

Leaf eating 1 Dunnii gall 59 Blair’s gall midge 61 Christmas 1 Western white gum plate galler 63 Swarming scarabs (spring beetles) 5 Chrysomelid leaf beetles 9 Stem boring 65 Cup 15 Gum leaf skeletoniser 19 Longicorn beetles 65 Eucalypt sawflies 21 Giant wood 69 Leafblister sawflies 23 Culama wood moth 71 Redshouldered leaf 25 Xylorictine wood moths 73 27 Flea beetles 29 Beneficials 75 Leafroller caterpillars 31 Erinose mite of spotted gum 33 Assassin bugs 75 Wingless grasshopper 35 Spined predatory shield bug 76 egg parasitoid 77 Sap sucking 37 Giant wood moth parasitoid 78

Cardiaspina psyllids 37 Fungi Creiis psyllid 41 Glycaspis psyllids 43 Leaf spot 79 Spottedgum psyllid 45 Free-living psyllids 47 Target spot 79 Gumtree hoppers 49 Coniella leaf blight 81 Gumtree scale 51 Corky leaf spot 83

iv v

Mycosphaerella leaf spot 85 Healthy hardwoods: a field Information about four exotic Marksii leaf spot 89 guide to pests, diseases pests and diseases is also Charcoal leaf disease 91 and nutritional disorders in included in the Biosecurity Halo leaf spot 93 subtropical hardwoods can threats chapter. Potentially, these Purple leaf spot 97 assist identification of common would have a severe impact on Quambalaria shoot blight 99 damaging insects, fungi and plantation and natural forests Spotted gum leaf spot 103 nutritional disorders in young if introduced into Australia. Kirramyces leaf blight 105 eucalypt (Eucalyptus and To prevent establishment of Quambalaria leaf spot 109 ) plantations in these pests, early detection subtropical eastern Australia. and identification is crucial. Canker 111 If an exotic or disease is This guide includes photographs suspected, then an immediate Cytospora canker 111 of each insect, and response is required. Usually, the Caliciopsis canker 113 nutritional disorder and the first response is to seek advice Endothia stem canker 115 damage they cause, along from the nearest Australian Botryosphaeria canker 117 with a brief description to aid Quarantine and Inspection identification. A brief host list Service office or forestry agency. Soil 119 for insects and fungi, including susceptibility and occurrence, is Armillaria root disease 119 also provided. We recommend Phytophthora root rot 121 using a hand lens to identify fungi. Although it is possible to Nutritional disorders 123 identify insects and fungi from these photographs, laboratory Biosecurity threats 133 examination is sometimes necessary—for example, Myrtle rust 133 microscopes and culturing media Gypsy moth 135 might be used to identify fungi. Coniothyrium canker 137 Cossid moths 139

vi About this guide vii Acknowledgements

This book was produced by the Department of Agriculture and Unless otherwise acknowledged, all images were supplied by Fisheries, Queensland (DAF) and the New South Wales Department Forests NSW, NSW DPI and DAF. of Primary Industries (NSW DPI), with financial support from Forest & Wood Products Australia. Editing, graphic design and production Forests NSW: 1–3, 17, 19–21, 23, 27, 35–37, 42–46, 50, 53, 55, 65–66, management was provided by DAF. 74–75, 79, 84, 86–87, 90, 92–95, 97, 100, 110–111, 118–120, 123–124.

NSW DPI: 9, 11, 13–14, 16, 22, 28–29, 32, 39, 48, 52, 69, 76, 85, 88–89, 91, 96, 98–99, 104–107, 109, 114–117, 121–122.

DAF: 4–8, 12, 15, 18, 24–26, 30–31, 33–34, 38, 40–41, 47, 51, 54, 56, 58–62, 64, 67–68, 70–73, 77–78, 81–83, 101–103, 108, 126, 129–136, 139, 141, 142a, 142b, 143a, 143b, 147–151.

Forest & Wood Products Australia: 10, 57, 63, 80, 112–113.

Ian Smith, Plantations International: 49.

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, www.forestryimages.org: 144.

E. Bradford Walker, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, www.forestryimages.org: 145.

United States Department of Agriculture, & Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection & Quarantine, www.forestryimages.org: 146.

Prof. Bernie Dell, Murdoch University, : 125, 127–128, 137–138, 140.

viii ix Christmas beetles

Anoplognathus boisduvali Damage Hosts Susceptibility Occurrence Anoplognathus chloropyrus • The larvae feed on grass roots; Corymbia citriodora High Common Anoplognathus porosus adults emerge from the soil— subsp. variegata Anoplognathus spp. often following rainfall—to feed on eucalypt leaves. C. maculata High Common Identification • Beetles feed in swarms, so can A. chloropyrus cause extensive damage to Eucalyptus argophloia Low Uncommon • These beetles are large young plantations, particularly (15–30 mm), shiny and those surrounded by pasture. E. cloeziana Low Uncommon red-brown with an iridescent • Beetles mainly feed on mature green posterior protruding leaves, with a jagged ripped E. dunnii Very high Very common behind the wing covers, and pattern to feeding; but they do faint black lines running down also feed on immature leaves. E. grandis Very high Very common the wing covers. E. grandis hybrids Very high Very common A. porosus and A. boisduvali • These beetles are large (15–30 mm), shiny and red- brown to yellow brown, with black spots (A. porosus) or lines (A. boisduvali) running down the wing covers; with no obvious green posterior. A. boisduvali has a red-brown posterior. • Often several species are observed in plantations at the same time.

1 Leaf eating Insects 2 Christmas beetles

Damage to mature C. maculata leaves by Christmas beetles (note the jagged A. porosus feeding pattern)

A. chloropyrus A. boisduvali

3 Leaf eating Insects 4 Swarming scarabs (spring beetles)

Automolus spp. Damage Hosts Susceptibility Occurrence Liparetrus spp. • Larvae feed on grass roots Corymbia citriodora and soil organic matter. Adults Very high Very common subsp. variegata Identification emerge from the soil to feed Automolus spp. on leaves and shoots, usually Eucalyptus argophloia Low Uncommon • Beetles of these species are following rainfall in spring and small (4–5 mm long) and early summer. E. cloeziana High Common mainly brown to dark brown. • Beetles feed in swarms, so can The elytra (wing covers) cover cause extensive damage to E. dunnii Very high Very common most of the abdomen and they young plantations, particularly have short body hairs. those surrounded by pasture. E. grandis Very high Very common • These beetles are active • Beetles mainly feed on young in plantations during and expanding eucalypt leaves, E. grandis hybrids Very high Very common daylight hours. with a characteristic jagged ripped pattern that can cause Liparetrus spp. distortion and dieback of young • Beetles are larger than shoots in addition to defoliation. Automolus (5–7 mm long) and This may limit early season mainly brown to light brown. growth and establishment of The elytra are short and often apical dominance. lighter in colour than the rest of the body, covering only about two-thirds of the abdomen. Long body hairs are present on the end of the abdomen. • Beetles of these species are mostly active at night, but some are active during the day. • Often several species are observed in plantations together.

5 Leaf eating Insects 6 Swarming scarabs (spring beetles)

Early season shoot damage caused by swarming scarab feeding

Aggregation of Automolus sp. beetles feeding on young seedling

7 Leaf eating Insects 8 Chrysomelid leaf beetles

Eucalyptus tortoise beetle Host Susceptibility Occurrence Paropsis atomaria Corymbia citriodora High Uncommon subsp. variegata Identification • Adults are 10 mm long, orange C. maculata High Uncommon with yellow specks. • Larvae are 2–5 mm long and Eucalyptus cloeziana High Common yellow-green. Mature larvae have thick black medial and E. dunnii High Common lateral stripes on the abdomen. • Eggs are orange to pink, in E. grandis High Common rings on twigs, petioles and occasionally leaf tips. E. pilularis High Uncommon • Often observed with other Adult P. atomaria chrysomelid beetles.

Damage • Larvae feed on immature leaves, mostly consuming the whole leaf and defoliating the upper crown which results in typical ‘broom topping’. • Adults feed on mature leaves, scalloping the edges.

P. atomaria eggs P. atomaria larval group, including early and late-stages

9 Leaf eating Insects 10 Chrysomelid leaf beetles

Northern eucalyptus Damage Host Susceptibility Occurrence leaf beetle • Larvae feed gregariously on Eucalyptus dunnii High Common Paropsisterna cloelia immature leaves, mostly (=Chrysophtharta cloelia) consuming the whole leaf and E. grandis High Common defoliating the upper crown; this Identification causes typical ‘broom topping’. E. grandis hybrids High Common • Adults are <10 mm long. They • Adults feed on mature leaves, are mostly orange but can be scalloping the edges. black with an orange edge and head. • Larvae are 2–5 mm long, yellow- green to olive-green with a black head. Mature larvae have thin black medial and lateral stripes on the abdomen. • Eggs are yellow to cream, in long clusters or rows on immature leaves. • Often observed with other chrysomelid beetles.

P. cloelia adults, common (R) and dark P. cloelia eggs on underside of P. cloelia mature larvae (L) form expanding leaf

11 Leaf eating Insects 12 Chrysomelid leaf beetles

Damage to immature leaves by chrysomelid larvae (note top of tree defoliated)

Damage to mature leaves by chrysomelid adults (note scalloped edges)

13 Leaf eating Insects 14 Cup moths

Doratifera casta D. quadriguttata Host Susceptibility Occurrence Doratifera vulnerans (four spotted cup moth) Corymbia citriodora Moderate Uncommon Doratifera quadriguttata • Similar to D. vulnerans. Green ssp. variegata and red caterpillars with four pairs of black spots at each Identification C. maculata Moderate Uncommon D. casta (black slug cup moth) end of the body. • Mature larvae (caterpillars) are Eucalyptus cloeziana Moderate Uncommon 20–35 mm long; black with a Damage yellow-white ‘skirt’ and white, • Young caterpillars skeletonise E. grandis Moderate Uncommon raised dots on their back; and leaves; older larvae of these have four clusters of stinging moths feed alone or in groups E. pilularis Moderate Uncommon spines at the front of the body. of less than 5 per leaf, and Young caterpillars cluster consume the whole leaf. They E. saligna Moderate Uncommon together; older larvae feed can cause extensive defoliation, singly or in small groups. but this is usually restricted to a few trees in a plantation. D. vulnerans (mottled cup moth) • Mature larvae (caterpillars) are 20–35 mm long, saddle-shaped with a yellowish ‘skirt’, and four bunches of spines at each end, which are raised when the insect is disturbed (contact with spines causes a painful sharp sting). Colour varies from light green to pink with yellowish markings when young to green, grey, red and brown with yellow markings when older. The larvae tend to feed alone.

15 Leaf eating Insects 16 Cup moths

Typical cup-shaped cocoon D. vulnerans larva

D. casta larvae D. quadriguttata larva

17 Leaf eating Insects 18 Gum leaf skeletoniser

Uraba lugens Host Susceptibility Occurrence

Eucalyptus argophloia Moderate Uncommon Identification • Larvae are small (5–20 mm), E. dunnii Low Uncommon hairy and yellow with brown markings and a ‘head dress’ made up of a chain of black head capsules (added to after each moult). • Young larvae are usually found clustered in a hairy mass on the leaf surface. Mature larvae disperse. U. lugens larvae (note head capsules, Damage circled) • Larvae graze both surfaces of leaves, leaving just a leaf skeleton. • Damage from this moth is usually restricted to several leaves on a few branches per tree and not widespread in a plantation.

U. lugens larvae feeding (note grazing Leaf damage caused by larval feeding and skeletonising of leaves)

19 Leaf eating Insects 20 Eucalypt sawflies

Perga spp. Damage Hosts Susceptibility Occurrence Pergagrapta spp. • Sawflies are voracious leaf Corymbia citriodora High Uncommon eaters. They are mostly restricted subsp. variegata Identification to a few trees in a plantation, • Sawfly larvae are similar to but will often defoliate the C. maculata High Uncommon caterpillars with three pairs of whole tree. They rarely cause legs, covered in short bristles, widespread defoliation. Eucalyptus cloeziana High Uncommon tan to dark brown or black, with a yellow to orange clasper at the E. dunnii High Uncommon tip of the tail and a black head; adults can be up to 60 mm long. E. grandis High Uncommon Other species can be light green in colour with an orange clasper E. grandis hybrids High Uncommon and black head. E. pilularis High Uncommon • Observed in clumps of >10 on stems during the day; they disperse and feed at night. • When disturbed they raise their tails and regurgitate a yellowish fluid as a defensive mechanism.

Clump of eucalypt sawfly larvae on Young eucalypt sawfly larvae (note raised tail) branch of E. grandis (note feeding damage to tree)

21 Leaf eating Insects 22 Leafblister sawflies

Phylacteophaga spp. Damage Host Susceptibility Occurrence • Young mature leaves are Corymbia citriodora High Common Identification preferred, but not exclusively. subsp. variegata • Leafblister sawfly larvae feed Severe damage can result beneath the upper surface of in premature leaf fall. Can Corymbia hybrid Recent record— Uncommon leaves, mining out a section cause severe defoliation status unknown and creating a distinctive in plantations. blister. Blisters are initially C. maculata High Uncommon small and enlarge as the Eucalyptus Moderate Uncommon larvae grow. camaldulensis • Larvae are often seen beneath blisters, with more than one E. dunnii High Common larva occurring on a single leaf, causing many blisters E. grandis High Common on the leaf. E. grandis hybrids High Common • Mostly occur on older, lower leaves, especially in larger trees.

Leafblister sawfly larval damage on Severe leafblister damage to Damage symptoms on young tree (note mature leaf (note the larvae visible mature foliage damage and leaf loss on lower canopy) under blisters)

23 Leaf eating Insects 24 Redshouldered leaf beetle

Monolepta australis Damage Host Susceptibility Occurrence • Graze both sides of leaves. Corymbia hybrid Variation between Isolated Identification Graze stems when in high hybrids • Adult beetles are up to numbers. Can severely damage 5 mm long, orange with a young trees and kill seedlings. High Isolated red band on the front edge • Often observed on hilltops, of the wing covers. and adjacent orchards (pest E. grandis hybrids High Isolated • Often feed in swarms. of avocado, mango and other orchard trees). E. pilularis High Isolated • Insect numbers can quickly build up then disperse—leaving the damaged trees as the only means of identification.

M. australis grazing on E. pilularis Leaf damage by M. australis M. australis severe damage on a small tree

25 Leaf eating Insects 26 Eucalyptus weevils

Gonipterus spp. Host Susceptibility Occurrence Oxyops spp. Corymbia citriodora Low Rare subsp. variegata Identification • Adults are <10 mm long, brown Eucalyptus dunnii Moderate Common to dark red-brown. Adult Oxyops spp. have a rough dorsal surface but Gonipterus spp. are smooth. They are often observed clinging tightly to branchlets. • Larvae resemble slugs: <10 mm long, yellow to orange, with small black spots on their back and black stripes on their sides; Adult Oxyops sp. older larvae are often slimy. When feeding, larvae produce a thin thread of excrement, which coils up behind them.

Damage • Larvae feed on the surface of leaves, leaving characteristic tracks where the upper surface of the leaf tissue has been removed. The epidermis is left, resembling a long, thin window or hole. The hole enlarges as the leaf grows. • Adults mainly feed on the edges of leaves, leaving ragged Eucalyptus larvae feeding Eucalyptus weevil larval damage to E. dunnii or scalloped edges.

27 Leaf eating Insects 28 Flea beetles

Chaetocnema spp. Damage Host Susceptibility Occurrence • Upper surface of the leaf is Corymbia citriodora Low Common Identification etched by feeding beetles, subsp. variegata • These tiny black beetles are causing necrotic patches to form. 2–3 mm long and difficult to • Damage is usually restricted C. maculata Low Uncommon find on the foliage; however to the lower third of the the damage they cause is canopy; loss of growth due to Eucalyptus argophloia Moderate Common easily identified. these beetles is considered • Beetles have enlarged hind insignificant. E. dunnii High Common legs that enable them to jump, • Damage is most evident hence the common name. in winter. E. grandis Low Uncommon

E. pilularis Low Uncommon

Flea beetle damage to upper surface Flea beetle damage to upper surface of E. argophloia leaf (note leaf etching of E. dunnii leaf and necrotic patches)

29 Leaf eating Insects 30 Leafroller caterpillars

Strepsicrates spp. and other Host Susceptibility Occurrence tortricid larvae Corymbia citriodora Moderate Uncommon subsp. variegata Identification • Caterpillars range from Eucalyptus cloeziana Moderate Uncommon 10–20 mm long, and are generally <3 mm wide. They can E. dunnii Moderate Common range in colour from grey-green to light green to pinky-red, and E. pilularis High Uncommon occasionally light brown. The head is shiny, and often differs in colour to the body (black to light green or light brown). Leaf rolling of young E. dunnii Damage • Caterpillars prefer to feed on young leaves, commonly in growing shoots. Some web leaves together as a shelter, while others roll a leaf over and use silk to hold it in place. • Young caterpillars tend to scour the leaf surface; mature caterpillars either skeletonise or feed on the edges of leaves. • Rarely cause significant damage. Can affect form of newly planted trees.

Defoliation of young E. dunnii caused Leafroller caterpillar (note silk webbing and feeding damage) by leaf rollers

31 Leaf eating Insects 32 Erinose mite of spotted gum

Rhombacus spp. • There is variation between Host Susceptibility Occurrence Acalox spp. provenances of Corymbia Corymbia citriodora High Common spp. in tolerance to the mite. subsp. citriodora Identification Woondum provenance is one of • A microscope is needed to the most susceptible; northern C. citriodora subsp. High (provenances Common see individual mites, so field New South Wales provenances variegata vary) identification is based on the appear to be less susceptible. symptoms they cause. C. henryi Low Uncommon • Thousands of mites aggregate and cause yellow to red raised Corymbia hybrids Low Uncommon blisters on the leaf surface—in severe cases blisters cover the C. maculata Low Common entire leaf surface.

Damage • Blisters reduce photosynthetic efficiency and the retention of infested leaves over a long period affects tree growth. Severe defoliation also results when leaf blisters become necrotic and heavily infested leaves are shed prematurely. • Mites may also cause distortion of shoots, resulting in loss of apical dominance. • Damage is most prevalent in plantations that are two to three years old. Blistering, chlorosis and distortion Chlorotic symptoms on upper leaf surface of spotted gum of spotted gum leaves caused by erinose mites

33 Leaf eating Insects 34 Wingless grasshopper

Phaulacridium vittatum Damage Host Susceptibility Occurrence • Large numbers of adults and Corymbia citriodora High Uncommon Identification nymphs build up in pasture subsp. variegata • Grasshoppers are up to and on broadleaved weeds. 20 mm in length and brown Risk of damage is higher for Corymbia hybrids High Uncommon to grey in colour. plantations established on • Large hind (hopping) legs ex-pasture sites and where Eucalyptus argophloia High Uncommon usually reddish in colour. grasses and weeds are present • Adults do not develop fully between rows. E. longirostrata High Uncommon functional wings and cannot fly. • Newly planted stock can be Wing buds are present in adults totally defoliated. Chewed but do not cover the abdomen leaves have jagged appearance, as in other grasshopper and with midribs often left intact. locust species. • Grasshoppers may also feed on stems and can cause twig and branch dieback and breakage on saplings. • Damage is more prevalent during drought where trees provide alternative source of moist foliage/bark for grasshopper feeding.

Grasshopper feeding on young Grasshopper damage on E. argophloia stem Corymbia hybrid

35 Leaf eating Insects 36 psyllids

Cardiaspina fiscella Damage Host Susceptibility Occurrence Cardiaspina maniformis • Cause leaf chlorosis Eucalyptus grandis High Common (young and (yellowing) and reddening mature trees) Identification leading to necrosis (death) and C. fiscella leaf fall. Foliage on heavily E. grandis hybrids Moderate Common (young and • Lerps 1–4 mm, yellow-brown, affected trees can appear mature trees) lacy or basket-like, mainly on purple to brown. lower leaf surface, mostly on • Common cause of damage mature foliage, several to large and defoliation in young and numbers per leaf. mature E. grandis. • Psyllid nymphs (if present) are • Both species often observed seen under lerps. together.

C. maniformis • Lerps 1–4 mm, ribbed, light yellow, scallop-like mainly on upper side of leaves, mostly on mature foliage, several to large numbers per leaf.

37 Sap sucking Insects 38 Cardiaspina psyllids

Leaf symptoms of C. maniformis damage Leaf symptoms of C. fiscella damage

C. maniformis lerps C. fiscella lerps

39 Sap sucking Insects 40 Creiis psyllid

Creiis lituratus Host Susceptibility Occurrence

Eucalyptus dunnii Very high Very common Identification • Lerps of varying sizes (1–5 mm), smooth, opaque and shell- like, on both sides of leaves, but predominantly on the underside; more common and larger on older leaves, smaller on immature leaves. • Psyllid nymphs (if present) are seen under lerps, and nymphal stages and adults sometimes observed on leaves. C. lituratus lerps and psyllids on E. dunnii Damage • Causes chlorosis (yellowing) and reddening/purpling leading to death and leaf fall. Isolated red-purple patches when only a few lerps per leaf; however, commonly many lerps per leaf when leaves turn dark purple and eventually die, giving the tree a purple to brown appearance. Insects can build to large numbers quickly (within one month).

Upper leaf surface symptoms (note Creiis psyllid damage to E. dunnii plantation purple blotches)

41 Sap sucking Insects 42 Glycaspis psyllids

Glycaspis spp. Damage Host Susceptibility Occurrence • Rarely cause discolouration Eucalyptus cloeziana Low Uncommon Identification of leaf surface; however, do • Lerps vary in shape from cause defoliation when E. grandis Low Uncommon squarish to conical, are up present in large numbers. to 5 mm in diameter, usually E. pilularis Low Uncommon glistening white but can be yellow, and occasionally have numerous fine white filaments on the outer surface. • Often found on the upper surface of leaves. Occasionally in large numbers per leaf. Often along midrib of leaf. • Often produce honeydew (sticky), thereby supporting growth of sooty mould on leaves and stems.

Glycaspis sp. lerps Glycaspis sp. lerps

43 Sap sucking Insects 44 Spottedgum psyllid

Eucalyptolyma maideni Damage Host Susceptibility Occurrence • Very common on spotted gum Corymbia citriodora Low Common Identification foliage but does not cause subsp. citriodora • Lerps are white, flat, and in the discolouration or damage shape of a small fern leaf (or to leaves and does not lead C. citriodora subsp. Low Common skeleton of a flat-head fish). to defoliation. variegata These psyllids are unusually • Very high densities can be mobile and often seen outside associated with sooty mould C. maculata Low Common the lerp. due to secretion of copious • Often many individuals per leaf. amounts of honeydew. • Mainly restricted to spotted and lemon-scented gums (Corymbia citriodora subsp. citriodora, C. maculata and C. citriodora subsp. variegata).

Lerps of E. maideni on C. citriodora subsp. variegata

45 Sap sucking Insects 46 Free-living psyllids

Identification Damage Host Susceptibility Occurrence • Young nymphs are small • Do not appear to have a serious Eucalyptus grandis Low Common (1–2 mm), pale yellow. Adults effect on trees, although may are yellow and winged. cause shoot distortion when E. pilularis Low Common • Psyllids produce white woolly present in high numbers. filaments and masses of powdery material on leaves; often resembles cotton wool. Psyllids observed within and around woolly filaments. • Mainly restricted to growing shoots.

Free-living psyllids produce white woolly filaments around growing tip

47 Sap sucking Insects 48 Gumtree hoppers

Eurymela spp. Damage Host Susceptibility Occurrence Eurymeloides spp. • Damage to tree is not obvious. Corymbia citriodora Low Uncommon Honeydew and sooty mould subsp. variegata Identification are associated with large • Adult treehoppers are small infestations. Eucalyptus grandis Low Common (<10 mm), winged and triangular resembling small cicadas. They E. grandis hybrids Low Common are black with white markings on the wings and red and metallic E. longirostrata Low Uncommon blue underneath. Nymphs are smaller, wingless, orange and E. pilularis Low Common black with red markings and often a striped abdomen. • Adults and nymphs occur in colonies at the juncture of small branches and twigs. When disturbed they either fly or hop away (adults) or move to the other side of the twig.

Treehoppers on twigs of Large aggregation of treehopper nymphs and adults on stem of E. grandis hybrid E. grandis hybrid (note copious honeydew and ants in attendance)

49 Sap sucking Insects 50 Gumtree scale

Eriococcus spp. Damage Host Susceptibility Occurrence • Cause defoliation, especially Corymbia citriodora Moderate Common Identification the lower and inner canopy of subsp. variegata • Gumtree scale forms large young trees. colonies of small (2–4 mm • Sooty mould may affect Eucalyptus cloeziana Low Uncommon diameter) reddish to white photosynthesis by covering globules, which are often leaves. E. grandis High Common clustered, on stems, branches • Small or stressed trees are and leaves. The insects feed usually the most affected. E. pilularis Low Common under these globules. • The insects secrete a white cottony substance that covers the globules. • When squashed, gumtree scales contain a reddish-brown fluid. • Leaves are often sticky from honeydew excreted by the insect, and sooty mould is often associated with gumtree scale, turning leaves and branches black. Ants are also commonly associated with gumtree scale (feeding on the honeydew).

Gumtree scale on branch of E. grandis Gumtree scale and associated sooty mould on branches and leaves of C. citriodora subsp. variegata

51 Sap sucking Insects 52 Gumtree bugs

Amorbus spp. Damage Host Susceptibility Occurrence • Both adults and nymphs are Corymbia citriodora Low Uncommon Identification tip-feeders, sucking sap from subsp. variegata • Adults are brown and shaped new shoots, causing tips to like a shield with ridged wilt and die. Only causes Eucalyptus cloeziana Low Uncommon shoulders. They are 15–22 mm significant damage to trees if long, and winged. the bugs are in high numbers. E. dunnii High Common • Nymphs vary in colour from yellow to orange and light- E. longirostrata High Common green, with grey markings, and are wingless. • Adults and nymphs have long antennae and long legs. • Often found feeding on new shoots. • When handled, bugs give off a pungent odour. • Not to be confused with predatory bugs (see p. 76).

Adult Amorbus sp. Nymph of Amorbus sp.

53 Sap sucking Insects 54 Winter bronzing bug

Thaumastocoris sp. Host Susceptibility Occurrence

Corymbia citriodora High Uncommon Identification subsp. variegata • Adults bugs are small (2–3 mm long) and brown to orange-brown; adults have a long and flat shape. • Most often found on mature foliage of spotted gums. • Seen under a hand lens, eyes on broad ‘stalks’ are characteristic of the adults.

Damage • Both adults and nymphs are sap-suckers, extracting nutrition from leaves. • These bugs inject enzymes into the leaf while feeding to assist in digestion of leaf cells and their contents, causing red-brown ‘bronzing’ of leaves. The north to north-eastern side of the canopy is usually first affected with symptoms appearing from May to August and September. • Severely affected leaves have reduced photosynthetic capacity and are shed Adult Thaumastocoris (bar represents Extensive ‘bronzing’ of foliage of young Leaf symptoms (note red-brown prematurely. 1 mm) spotted gum discolouration and black faeces on leaf surface)

55 Sap sucking Insects 56 Leaf spotting bug

Rayieria sp. Host Susceptibility Occurrence

Eucalyptus argophloia Low Uncommon Identification • Thin, medium-sized bugs E. dunnii High Common 8–10 mm in length, with an orange to red thorax and black and white abdomen and wing covers. Black antennae are as long or longer than the body.

Damage • Both adults and nymphs are sap suckers, extracting nutrition from leaves. Adults are swift and active flyers and are mostly present in the lower third of canopy. • Bugs inject enzymes into the leaf while feeding to assist in digestion of leaf cells and their contents, causing dead patches to form on the upper leaf surface. Dead patches are generally square to rectangular in shape. • Severely affected leaves have reduced photosynthetic capacity and may shed prematurely.

Rayieria sp. adult on E. dunnii leaf Rayieria sp. symptoms on E. dunnii

57 Sap sucking Insects 58 Dunnii gall

Ophelimus sp. Host Susceptibility Occurrence

Eucalyptus dunnii Moderate Common Identification • These galls form on leaves; they are large (up to 20 mm diameter), mainly round soft and fleshy, and red to green or occasionally yellow. • Tiny wasps lay eggs in the leaves, which cause these galls to develop. If broken open small maggot-like larvae are seen inside the gall.

Damage • Unless the galls are in very high numbers there is generally no significant damage to trees.

Severe leaf galling symptoms on Typical wasp galls on leaves of E. dunnii E. dunnii

59 Gall forming Insects 60 Blair’s gall midge

Eucalyptodiplosis mcintyrei Damage Host Susceptibility Occurrence • Gall midges induce galls in new Eucalyptus grandis Low Rare Identification shoots. The gall is a thickened • Adults are very small, and shortened leaflet on slender flies. terminal, lateral and branch • Larvae are small and orange in buds. Infested buds do not colour and found between the develop further and eventually distorted leaflets. turn brown, dry out and die. • Trees observed to grow through the damage.

Blair’s gall midge damage on E. grandis

61 Gall forming Insects 62 Western white gum plate galler

Ophelimus sp. Damage Host Susceptibility Occurrence • Severe infestations can affect Eucalyptus argophloia High Common Identification 100 per cent of leaves, with • Raised, brown plate-like galls associated defoliation. form on the upper surface of leaves of the western white gum (Eucalyptus argophloia). • Galls often form masses which can completely cover the leaf surface. • Galls are caused by the feeding of the larvae of tiny wasps. Exit holes of adult wasps are sometimes seen on the surface of the gall.

Severe plate galler damage on young E. argophloia (note brown appearance Raised, hard plate galls on E. argophloia leaf (note small round wasp emergence of foliage) holes on galls)

63 Gall forming Insects 64 Longicorn beetles

Phoracantha spp. Two-hole borer Host Susceptibility Occurrence (P. solida) Corymbia spp. Moderate Common Identification and damage • One or two larvae of this • Adult beetles have long borer feed in the cambium Eucalyptus dunnii High Common (30–45 mm) narrow bodies. The over a radius of 100–150 mm. antennae are as long or longer In the early stages there are E. grandis Very high Common than the body. They are rarely associated kino bleeds and observed. Larvae are large (20– larvae may construct small ‘air E. grandis hybrids High Common 40 mm long) and cream, with a holes’ through the bark. When small reddish-brown head with larvae complete development E. pilularis High Common chewing mouthparts. they bore into the heartwood • A fine frass (similar to sawdust) to pupate, at which stage E. saligna Very high Common caught in the bark or at the base the external bark falls away of the tree and kino bleeding are from the feeding site leaving early signs of longicorn activity exposed sapwood and one or in trees. The characteristics two frass-packed oval-shaped Ringbarking longicorn Bulls-eye borer of external tree damage (see holes (7–10 mm in length) into (P. mastersi) (P. acanthocera) below) can assist identification the heartwood. The wound later • Damage signs are large wounds • This borer leaves a characteristic of the species involved. seals over as the tree grows. or ‘blazes’ caused by larval ‘bulls-eye’—an oval shaped • Wood quality can be severely feeding under the bark, and groove in the tree, with a hole affected by staining and are more often observed in in the centre. However, this is physical damage associated Corymbia spp. In contrast to often hidden under bark, and with larval feeding. P. solida and P. acanthocera, all that is visible are splits in the larvae feed gregariously and bark. The bulls-eye becomes over a much wider area of more visible once the beetle bark. Saplings and small trees emerges and the bark falls off. can sometimes be killed by The actual area damaged under girdling. Copious kino bleeding the bark is greater than that is associated with these indicated by the bulls-eye. wounds, with the affected area The wound later seals over as turning grey-black. the tree grows.

65 Stem boring Insects 66 Longicorn beetles

Typical longicorn larva (note creamy white colour) Bulls-eye on E. grandis (note oval-shaped groove above central tunnel)

Two-hole borer damage (note two oval-shaped larval tunnels Ringbarking longicorn wounds on mature spotted gum into heartwood, circled)

67 Stem boring Insects 68 Giant wood moth

Endoxyla cinereus Damage Host Susceptibility Occurrence • On smaller trees, larval Eucalyptus argophloia Low Uncommon Identification tunnelling weakens stems, • Adult wood moths are large, which can then snap in E. cloeziana Low Uncommon with a wingspan of about strong winds. 250 mm and weighing up to • Yellow-tailed black-cockatoos E. dunnii High Common 30 g. Adults are rarely seen. rip into the trunk to feed Larvae are large, up to 150 mm on larvae—this may cause E. grandis Very high Common long, creamy white with pink further damage to the tree and to purple bands and a red- contribute to stem breakage. E. grandis hybrids High Common brown head. • Often the first sign of giant wood E. pilularis Low Common moth activity in a tree is a pile of coarse frass (like sawdust) at E. saligna Very high Common the base of the tree. A cap-like cover of frass is often seen on the trunk (up to 3 m high) during spring to summer covering the entrance hole of the young larva. As the larva grows the trunk of the tree swells due to feeding activity inside. • Just prior to emergence the larva makes a larger exit hole above the original, plugged entry hole. These holes, as well as trunk swelling, are characteristic signs of activity.

Tent-like cap over entrance hole Exit hole and characteristic swelling Cossid moth larva inside tunnel of split stem

69 Stem boring Insects 70 Culama wood moth

Culama spp. Damage Host Susceptibility Occurrence • Damage is usually associated Corymbia citriodora Moderate Uncommon Identification with primary attack by longicorn subsp. variegata • Adults are medium-sized moths beetles or giant wood moth, or (30–50 mm wingspan), motley with bark splitting as a result of C. maculata Moderate Common brown-grey in appearance and severe drought. Sites of attack are rarely seen. are often reinfested, with a Eucalyptus argophloia Low Uncommon • Larvae are pink to red, up to range of larval stages present. 40 mm long and feed • Severe attack can girdle E. cloeziana Low Uncommon gregariously under the bark, young trees. which eventually falls away E. dunnii High Common from the site of infestation exposing the sapwood to E. grandis Very high Common fungal staining and rot. E. grandis hybrids High Common Webbing and frass pellets are associated with this feeding.

Culama larva Sapwood exposed due to extensive feeding on cambium by Culama larvae (note copious associated kino and fungal staining)

71 Stem boring Insects 72 Xylorictine wood moths

Uzucha humeralis Damage Host Susceptibility Occurrence Maroga spp. • Larvae cause damage to the Corymbia citriodora High Common Cryptophasa spp. stem and branches of young— subsp. variegata usually smooth-barked— Identification eucalypts. Corymbia hybrids High Common • The larvae of xylorictine wood • The damage can ringbark moths are rarely seen; they small trees or branches, or C. maculata High Common feed externally on the bark, cause structural damage and forming a gallery around breakage. However, often Eucalyptus grandis High Common the stem or branch covered the damage seals over with by conspicuous webbing subsequent tree growth. E. grandis hybrids High Common composed of frass (sawdust) and silk. Removal of the E. pilularis High Common webbed frass reveals the gallery and often a small tunnel into the tree, where the larva pupates.

Typical U. humeralis webbing Horizontal scarring and damage by a symptoms on Corymbia sp. xylorictine wood moth

73 Stem boring Insects 74 Assassin bugs Spined predatory shield bug

Reduviidae Insect prey Oechalia schellenbergii Insect prey • Assassin bugs prefer soft- • Shield bugs are generalist Assassin bugs (reduviids) are bodied insects such as Identification predators and feed on leaf common and important predators caterpillars and leaf beetle • The shield bug feeds on beetle eggs, larvae (most of other insects. larvae, but will feed on other other insects by sucking common prey), and adults, as stages also, including leaf their body fluids. well as caterpillars, eucalypt Identification beetle adults. • Adult bugs are <10 mm long, sawfly larvae, treehoppers, • Adults are up to 20 mm long and brown and shaped like a shield scale insects and aphids. shaped like a shield. They are with pronounced lateral spines orange to black in colour, with on the thorax. Nymphs are long legs and a long, curved smaller, with black and red beak. These bugs are usually markings but no wings. solitary and are often seen near • Shield bugs are one of the most shoot tips. common insect predators seen • One of the most common in plantations—especially when species in plantations is prey, such as chrysomelid leaf Pristhesancus plagipennis— beetles, are in high numbers. adults are up to 20 mm in They are sometimes seen length and brown-grey in colour. feeding on larvae impaled on This species has pronounced their proboscis. ‘flanges’ on the sides of the abdomen extending laterally beyond the wings. • Assassin bugs are often only observed when prey is in high numbers, and are occasionally seen feeding with chrysomelid leaf beetle larvae impaled on their beaks. Adult P. plagipennis Adult spined predatory shield bug feeding on Paropsis atomaria larva

75 Beneficials Insects 76 Leaf beetle egg parasitoid Giant wood moth parasitoid

Neopolycystus sp. Insect hosts Virgulibracon endoxylaphagus Insect hosts • Female wasps lay single eggs • Specific to Endoxyla spp. The leaf beetle egg parasitoid into individual P. atomaria eggs. Identification wood moths. is the most significant insect • Neopolycystus sp. has • Large black, white and pink • Female wasps lay many eggs natural enemy of Paropsis been recorded parasitising wasp, body length up to into a single giant wood moth atomaria in the subtropics. other chrysomelid leaf 15 mm, with prominent long larva. More than 100 wasps beetle species. (up to 50 mm) ovipositor (egg have been recorded emerging Identification laying tube). from a single wood moth host. • Tiny black wasps that crawl • Most common giant wood moth • Parasitism rates of between over P. atomaria egg batches (Endoxyla cinereus) parasitoid 10 per cent and 20 per cent in plantations. in the subtropics. have been observed. • On average this wasp • Often observed on tree trunks parasitises almost one-third of after wood moth larvae have all P. atomaria egg batches in constructed exit holes (late- plantations, and can parasitise spring to early summer). up to 100 per cent of eggs Wasps rapidly touch the tree within individual batches. trunk with the tips of their antennae in order to locate the position of the host larva, and several wasps may compete aggressively for a single host (up to eight have been observed). • The long ovipositor is used to drill through the bark and wood and lay eggs into a host’s late-stage larvae or prepupae. This process takes around 20 minutes to complete.

Neopolycystus sp. wasp on egg batch Virgulibracon wasp on bark surface of P. atomaria preparing to drill and lay eggs in host

77 Beneficials Insects 78 Target spot

Aulographina eucalypti Damage Host Susceptibility Occurrence • Damage occurs mostly on Eucalyptus cloeziana Low Common Identification older, lower foliage and can • Leaf spots 2–10 mm, mostly cause defoliation, mainly of E. dunnii Low Uncommon single, yellow-brown to dark- lower crown. brown, often raised and corky, E. grandis Low Uncommon on upper and lower leaf surface but rarely penetrating through E. grandis hybrids Low Uncommon to the opposite side of the leaf; often occur along the midrib E. nitens Moderate Common and will coalesce when there are many. E. pilularis Moderate Common • Distinctive black fruiting bodies often observed within E. saligna Moderate Common leaf spots.

Target spot on E. pilularis Target spot showing typical fruiting bodies

79 Leaf spot Fungi 80 Coniella leaf blight

Pilidiella eucalyptorum Damage Host Susceptibility Occurrence (=Coniella fragariae) • Heavily infected leaves are Eucalyptus dunnii High Common prematurely shed. Identification • Coniella is more often observed E. grandis Low Uncommon • Coniella causes large circular on older, lower foliage. yellow-brown spots that begin on leaf margins and spread to form large blights, with many per leaf and often covering most or the entire leaf. • Small black fruiting bodies are seen in concentric rings within spots and blights mostly on the upper leaf surface.

Coniella leaf blight on E. dunnii (note concentric rings of fruiting bodies)

81 Leaf spot Fungi 82 Corky leaf spot

Microsphaeropsis sp. Damage Host Susceptibility Occurrence • Heavily infected leaves often Eucalyptus grandis High Common Identification turn purple on the upper • Microsphaereopsis causes small surface. E. saligna High Common (<2 mm), corky-like, yellow- • Mature leaves are more brown leaf spots, mainly on susceptible, often leading to the lower surface of leaves (but premature leaf fall of the lower, also found on upper surface) inner canopy. scattered across the whole leaf. Leaf spots often coalesce to form larger spots, more commonly on leaf margins.

Microsphaeropsis on E. grandis

83 Leaf spot Fungi 84 Mycosphaerella leaf spot

Mycosphaerella cryptica Damage Host Susceptibility Occurrence • Mycosphaerella causes Eucalyptus High Common Identification defoliation, mostly in the camaldulensis • Leaf spots can be single or lower crown. coalesce when many; often • On older leaves it is often E. dunnii Low Common causing leaves to crinkle. observed with other leaf spot • Small black fruiting bodies are fungi (e.g. target spot). E. grandis Low Uncommon often seen within leaf spots, • Symptoms vary on different aggregating on leaf veins, hosts: E. nitens High Common and often prominent on the • On : light underside of leaves. to dark brown spots (10 mm E. pilularis Moderate Common diameter), mainly on lower, E. saligna Moderate Uncommon inner foliage • On E. pilularis: red-brown to dark brown irregular spots (10 mm diameter) on older leaves, and chlorotic (yellow) specks (<5 mm diameter) to red- brown irregular spots (10 mm diameter) on younger leaves • On E. grandis, E. dunnii and E. saligna: yellow-brown spots or blights.

85 Leaf spot Fungi 86 Mycosphaerella leaf spot

Leaf spot of M. cryptica (note fruiting bodies on lower leaf surface) M. cryptica on E. saligna

M. cryptica on E. pilularis Defoliation of E. globulus in NSW caused by Mycosphaerella leaf disease

87 Leaf spot Fungi 88 Marksii leaf spot

Mycosphaerella marksii Host Susceptibility Occurrence

Eucalyptus dunnii Low Rare Identification • Fruiting bodies are seen mainly E. grandis Low Rare on the upper leaf surface. E. pilularis Moderate Common Damage • Leaf spots affect mainly the older lower foliage, causing defoliation of the lower canopy. • Symptoms vary on different hosts: • On Eucalyptus pilularis: leaf spots are red-brown, circular to irregular (12 mm diameter), often with an irregular, raised margin, and often coalescing. • On E. grandis & E. dunnii: leaf spots yellow-brown with raised red-brown border, mostly circular (12 mm diameter), and coalesce when many.

M. marksii lesion on E. pilularis M. marksii damage on E. pilularis

89 Leaf spot Fungi 90 Charcoal leaf disease

Kirramyces epicoccoides • Defoliation of the lower crown Host Susceptibility Occurrence (=Phaeophleospora epicoccoides) is common, and can extend Eucalyptus grandis Very high Common over much of the crown in Identification severe cases, appearing to E. grandis hybrids Very high Common • Initially leaf spots appear as spread from the bottom- small (1 mm) angular purple up. Such severe damage is spots, most obvious on the often seen across the whole upper leaf surface, and can plantation, and damage can eventually cover much of the recur annually. upper leaf. These can turn • Severe charcoal leaf disease yellowish to yellowish brown occurs mainly (but not on the lower surface, soon exclusively) in trees growing in joining together into irregular, low-lying areas and flats within angular blotches delimited the plantation. by leaf veins and gradually covering much of the leaf. • B rown to black spores are often observed covering the lower surface of leaves (resembling charcoal). The purple discolouration and presence of black spores is often observed even when yellow-brown leaf spots are not obvious.

Damage • Charcoal leaf disease is common on the lower and older leaves, but can occur throughout the tree crown in K. epicoccoides on E. grandis (note Purpling on upper surface of Lower crown defoliation of young tree severe cases. Severe infection masses of black spores on underside E. grandis associated with leads to defoliation. of leaf) K. epicoccoides

91 Leaf spot Fungi 92 Halo leaf spot

Kirramyces eucalypti Damage Host Susceptibility Occurrence (=Phaeophleospora eucalypti) • Severe infection, with much of Eucalyptus grandis × High Common the leaf surface infected, can E. camaldulensis Identification result in premature leaf fall. • L eaf spots are circular to E. nitens High Common irregular, often <12 mm diameter, first signs are pale E. tereticornis High Common patches (often translucent) on young leaves which turn pale yellow, then carmine-red with a yellow halo, then eventually become necrotic (grey-brown on E. nitens and yellow-brown on E. grandis hybrids) often with carmine-red margins. • L eaf spots can be single, often delimited by large veins, but may coalesce to cover the leaf. • Black spore masses are often seen exuding onto the lower surface of young (yellow to purple) leaf spots. Small black fruiting bodies are often seen once leaf spots turn necrotic. • Common in New South Wales.

93 Leaf spot Fungi 94 Halo leaf spot

K. eucalypti on E. nitens showing carmine-red spots with yellow halo Severe damage and defoliation by K. eucalypti to E. nitens

K. eucalypti on E. grandis hybrid showing yellow-brown spots

95 Leaf spot Fungi 96 Purple leaf spot

Phaeothyriolum microthyrioides Damage Host Susceptibility Occurrence • Affects mature and old leaves Corymbia citriodora Low Common Identification but rarely causes defoliation. subsp. variegata • Leaf spots are circular, commonly 5–15 mm diameter, C. henryi Low Common but can be larger, beginning as a chlorotic (yellow) spot before C. maculata Low Common becoming purple. Leaf spot eventually turns brown then grey with age. • Leaf spots occur on both surfaces of the leaf but rarely extend through to the opposite side of leaves. • Black fruiting bodies form within leaf spots. Often these are seen before the spot turns purple. • Common on Corymbia spp.; rare on Eucalyptus spp.

Purple leaf spot on C. citriodora subsp. variegata

97 Leaf spot Fungi 98 Quambalaria shoot blight

Quambalaria pitereka Damage Host Susceptibility Occurrence (= pitereka) • Quambalaria shoot blight Corymbia citriodora High Very common infects the young growing subsp. variegata Identification shoots and tips of Corymbia • Quambalaria shoot blight is species, causing spotting, C. henryi High Very common recognisable by the white necrosis and distortion of young powder-like fungal fruiting expanding leaves and shoots, Corymbia hybrids Low Uncommon structures observed on the leading to shoot dieback. growing shoots and spotted • Heavily infected and damaged C. maculata High Very common on expanding leaves (like trees are often stunted and white paint). multi-branched. Trees can grow C. torelliana Low Uncommon through the damage, but some may remain suppressed.

99 Leaf spot Fungi 100 Quambalaria shoot blight

Q. pitereka on shoot of C. citriodora subsp. variegata (note white fruiting structures)

Q. pitereka on leaf of C. citriodora subsp. variegata Shoot blight caused by Q. pitereka (note white fruiting structures)

101 Leaf spot Fungi 102 Spotted gum leaf spot

Kirramyces corymbiae Damage Host Susceptibility Occurrence • Most common on fully Corymbia spp. Low Common (rarely Identification expanded leaves and more damaging) • Leaf spots are yellow-brown common on trees greater than to tan in colour, circular to two years old. irregular in shape, commonly • Rarely severe enough to 10 mm diameter, usually cause defoliation. several to many spots per leaf. • Can be on a few or many trees per plantation.

Leaf spot symptoms of K. corymbiae on spotted gum

103 Leaf spot Fungi 104 Kirramyces leaf blight

Kirramyces viscidus Damage Host Susceptibility Occurrence Kirramyces spp. • Leaf necrosis causes Eucalyptus grandis × Very high Very common leaves to distort and buckle, E. camaldulensis Identification often severely. • Leaf spots initially pale-green • Infection often begins on E. grandis hybrids Very high Very common turning yellow and almost immature leaves, and is translucent when held up to observed over much of the the light, becoming purple then tree crown. necrotic. Necrosis often occurs • Results in severe defoliation. before any appreciable purpling. • Leaf spots can be small (<5 mm) to large blights and commonly cover much of the leaf. • Black spore masses are visible on both surfaces of pale-green to yellow spots and necrotic blights; initially a small number of spore masses are observed, but these spread to cover much of the leaf spot or blight. • Common in Queensland.

105 Leaf spot Fungi 106 Kirramyces leaf blight

Yellow leaf spots of Kirramyces leaf blight on E. grandis hybrid Severe necrosis and buckling of E. grandis hybrid leaf, showing black spore masses

Typical yellow leaf spots becoming purple then necrotic, showing leaf distortion, on E. grandis hybrid

107 Leaf spot Fungi 108 Quambalaria leaf spot

Quambalaria eucalypti Damage Host Susceptibility Occurrence (=Ramularia eucalypti) • Often only a few leaves per Eucalyptus dunnii Low Uncommon tree affected. Identification and damage • Rarely seen on green stems. E. grandis Low Uncommon • Quambalaria leaf spot is associated with small (<5 mm) E. longirostrata Low Uncommon circular to irregular spots on leaves of several Eucalyptus species, and can infect wounds caused by insect feeding e.g. chewing from eucalyptus weevils (see page 27) and flea beetles (see page 29). • White fruiting structures are often observed, commonly on the lower surface of leaf spots or associated with the feeding damage of insects. • Quambalaria leaf spot (on Eucalyptus) can be confused with Q. pitereka (on Corymbia); however, their hosts distinguish them, and Q. eucalypti is not associated with shoot blight.

Q. eucalypti infecting insect damage Small leaf spots caused by Q. eucalypti on E. dunnii, on E. dunnii showing white conidiophores

109 Leaf spot Fungi 110 Cytospora canker

Cytospora eucalypticola Damage Host Susceptibility Occurrence • The bark at the canker site Corymbia spp. Low (stressed trees) Uncommon Identification eventually cracks and splits, • Cytospora canker is observed as but the damage is often Eucalyptus spp. Low (stressed trees) Uncommon dead and dying patches, often superficial, only affecting the on stems of trees, but also on outer bark. Often one tree can branches. These often appear have multiple cankers. as small (less than 50 mm • Cankers caused by Cytospora diameter), red-brown patches, eucalypti are often associated but can become larger. with stressed trees. It is more • Small fruiting structures are common on older trees, and often observed within the rarely causes significant canker. These develop just damage to the tree. beneath the surface, and break through, splitting the bark surface. These fruiting structures appear as black to grey and sometimes white dots.

Cankers (circled) on stem of mature Fruiting bodies of Cytospora erupting E. saligna through bark within canker

111 Canker Fungi 112 Caliciopsis canker

Caliciopsis pleomorpha Damage Host Susceptibility Occurrence • In severe cases larger cankers Corymbia citriodora Low Common Identification develop (100–200+ mm long) subsp. variegata • Small (<50 mm diameter) on branches and stems and localised cankers on branches can kill the branch; multiple C. maculata Low Common or small stems; can be severe cankers can result in Eucalyptus dunnii Low Common confused as hail damage; small tree mortality. E. grandis Low Common cankers often occlude over. • Commonly seen in trees under E. grandis × Low Common E. camaldulensis stress, such as that from defoliating insects and fungi. E. nitens Very high Rare • Severe cankers resulting in tree death have only been seen in Eucalyptus nitens on the Dorrigo Plateau.

Small canker on branch of E. grandis (note occlusion) Large canker on branch of E. nitens Fruiting bodies (under magnification)

113 Canker Fungi 114 Endothia stem canker

Holocryphia eucalypti Host Susceptibility Occurrence (=Endothia gyrosa) Eucalyptus dunnii Low (stressed trees) Uncommon Identification E. nitens Low (stressed trees) Uncommon • Symptoms of Endothia canker are dead and dying patches E. pilularis Low (stressed trees) Rare on stems or branches. These can be small (<1 m) to large (>4 m). The bark at the canker site is commonly, but not always, cracked and split, with some kino exudation. • Small orange and black fruiting structures are often seen within cankers and on bark associated with cankers. • Cankers caused by H. eucalypti are often associated with tree stress, such as that caused by defoliating insects or fungi or damaged by wind storms.

Damage • The cambium and sapwood under the canker eventually die. This can lead to death of the branch above the canker or of the whole tree or branch. However, often trees recover, with the canker sealing over Large Endothia canker on E. dunnii, Orange fruiting structures on bark with subsequent tree growth. associated with wind damage (note within canker dead inner cambium and occlusion)

115 Canker Fungi 116 Botryosphaeria canker

Botryopshaeria spp. Host Susceptibility Occurrence (=Neofusicoccum spp.; Corymbia spp. Moderate Uncommon Fusicocum spp.)

Eucalyptus cloeziana Moderate Uncommon Identification • Botryosphaeria is a stress- E. dunnii Moderate Uncommon related pathogen. Common stress factors include drought, E. pilularis Moderate Uncommon severe defoliation by insects or fungi and physical damage to the tree (e.g. from cattle). • Infection by Botryosphaeria can occur in twigs, branches, or anywhere along the tree bole including the root bole. As drought is a common stress factor, affected trees tend to be on ridge tops or on poorer sites. • Cambial staining is evident under the bark if the affected area is cut by a knife. • Small black fruiting bodies are also seen on the affected (dead) part of the tree.

Damage • Infection commonly results in death of the particular part of the tree affected, resulting in twig or branch death, top death Cracking and cambial staining at base Canker on twig caused by Twig dieback caused by or tree mortality. of E. dunnii following drought stress Botryosphaeria sp. Botryosphaeria cankers on E. pilularis on hill-top

117 Canker Fungi 118 Armillaria root disease

Armillaria luteobubalina Damage Host Susceptibility Occurrence • Death occurs very suddenly; Eucalyptus cloeziana High Isolated Identification the leaves wilt then turn brown • Armillaria invades trees via but stay on the tree. Often E. nitens High Isolated roots and girdles the tree. cracks in the bark are observed • White ‘sheets’ of fungal at the base of dead trees. mycelium grow under the bark at the base of trees and in roots. • Armillaria infects via root- to-root contact and requires a woody food base (e.g. old stumps) from which to spread. The fungus does not spread far from the initial source. • Dense clusters of yellow-brown mushrooms (fruiting bodies of Armillaria) may grow at the base of diseased trees during autumn-winter.

E. nitens killed by Armillaria sp. Bark cracking at base associated with White mycelium at base of infected tree Armillaria infection

119 Soil Fungi 120 Phytophthora root rot

Phytophthora cinnamomi Host Susceptibility Occurrence

Eucalyptus cloeziana High Isolated Identification • Phytophthora root rot is a E. pilularis High Isolated soil-borne pathogen that attacks the root system. Spores travel through wet soil, infecting rootlets. • A characteristic staining of the cambium is often seen if the base of affected trees are dissected with a knife (however, Phytophthora is not the exclusive cause of this symptom). • The fungus needs wet soil to travel and infect, hence, the problem is often more common in gullies and low-lying areas. Warm summer rains are ideal conditions for Phytophthora infection and spread. • Identification needs to be confirmed in the laboratory.

Damage • This fungus causes root death and leads to tree mortality. Often death is sudden; the leaves wilt then turn brown but Staining of cambium of infected stem Young E. pilularis killed by Phytophthora stay on the tree.

121 Soil 122 Nutritional disorders

Affected area Symptoms Deficiency Symptoms Image number(s) Symptoms appear first or Even leaf Nitrogen (N) Leaves pale green to yellow 125 are more prevalent on discoloration Phosphorus (P) Leaves green with reddish blotches or uniformly 126–127 mature leaves purple to red Patterns of leaf Magnesium (Mg) Distinct interveinal chlorosis often bright yellow 128 discolouration in appearance Potassium (K) Leaves with marginal burns or necrosis and 125, 129–131 often extending into interveinal regions as symptoms develop Symptoms appear first or more Reduced Boron (B) Enlarged nodal regions; slowing growth and 132–135 prevalent on expanding leaves growth or often death of the apical shoot; proliferation and dieback of the often death of lateral shoots; interveinal crinkling shoot apex of younger leaves (often starting with the third youngest leaf); leaves with corky abaxial veins or malformed with incomplete margins Calcium (Ca) Nodes normal, death of the apical shoot, leaves 136 buckled due to impaired marginal growth, leaf expansion often stunted No dieback of Leaves normal size the shoot apex Copper (Cu) ‘S’ shaped stem growth, leaves with irregular 137 or undulate margins, some interveinal chlorosis Sulphur (S) Leaves pale green to yellow 138 Iron (Fe) Interveinal chlorosis with sharp borders to 139 green veins Manganese (Mn) Leaves with marginal or mottled chlorosis, 140 small necrotic bleached or brown spots may appear Zinc (Zn) Leaves small and crowded, developing an 141 interveinal chlorosis with hazy borders to green veins

123 Nutritional disorders 124 Nutritional disorders

Macronutrient deficiency in Eucalyptus grandis, left to right—healthy, P deficient E. pellita (note anthocyanin development— K deficiency, N deficiency (note with N deficiency, general light green purpling—of leaves and necrotic blotches) colour of younger and mature leaves; old leaves are chlorotic and abscised)

P deficient E. nitens (note anthocyanin development—purpling— Mg deficiency in E. grandis × E. urophylla foliage (note bright yellow of leaves and necrotic blotches) interveinal chlorosis of mature leaves, younger leaves green)

125 Nutritional disorders 126 Nutritional disorders

K deficiency in Corymbia citriodora subsp. variegata (note symptoms of marginal K deficiency inC. citriodora subsp. variegata (note symptoms of marginal purpling which necrosis initially on the mature leaves) develop into necrosis initially on the older leaves)

K deficiency in C. citriodora subsp. variegata (note mild symptoms of marginal B deficiency of C. citriodora subsp. variegata (note loss of apical dominance necrosis initially on the mature leaves) leading to ramicorn formation)

127 Nutritional disorders 128 Nutritional disorders

B deficiency of E. cloeziana (note loss of apical dominance) B deficient C. citriodora subsp. variegata (note loss of apical dominance leading to poor form and interveinal crinkling of younger leaves)

B deficiency of E. nitens (note loss of apical dominance) Ca deficient C. torelliana × C. citriodora subsp. variegata hybrid (note reduced expansion of younger leaves, death of shoot apex and subsequent death of apical bud of auxiliary shoots)

129 Nutritional disorders 130 Nutritional disorders

Cu deficient E. globulus (note twisting S deficient E. globulus (note general Mn deficiency inE. globulus (note chlorosis starting from the margins of leaves) chlorosis of younger leaves) and extending in towards the midvein in the interveinal regions of expanding and younger leaves)

Fe deficient E. cloeziana (note interveinal chlorosis of younger leaves with sharp Zn deficiency E. cloeziana (note hazy margins between green veinal regions and margins between veinal and interveinal regions) interveinal regions on younger leaves)

131 Nutritional disorders 132 Myrtle rust

Puccinia psidii Damage Host Also known as eucalypt rust or • Infected leaves and shoots guava rust. become deformed and Myrtle rust can infect many species in the plant family . eventually shrivel. Updated information about myrtle rust hosts can be found here: Identification • Repeated infection results in • Attacks foliage, stem dieback and can cause • Myrtle rust in Australia. Australian Network for Plant Conservation. and succulent twigs of young tree death. https://www.anbg.gov.au/anpc/resources/Myrtle_Rust.html Eucalyptus. • Trees of all ages, including • Myrtle rust. Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. https://www. • First symptoms appear as small seedlings, can be infected. daf.qld.gov.au/plants/health-pests-diseases/a-z-significant/ chlorotic spots which, after myrtle-rust a few days, change to small A single strain identified in raised pustules producing Australia is now present in masses of yellow spores. Queensland, New South Wales • Infected areas are initially and Victoria. circular spots but coalesce as severity increases.

Early symptoms on Melaleuca Shoot dieback and death on Early symptoms on a eucalypt leaf Leaf curling and stem infection on quinquenervia infected with P. psidii from infected with P. psidii eucalypt caused by P. psidii repeated P. psidii infections

133 Biosecurity threats 134 Gypsy moth

Lymantria dispar dispar Damage • Damage from early instar larvae Identification appears as small holes in the • There are two biotypes of leaf. As the larvae grow the holes the gypsy moth: the Asian become larger and feeding will gypsy moth and the European occur along the leaf margin. In gypsy moth. Both are similar the final instar stage the larvae in appearance, however, the will consume the entire leaf. female European gypsy moth cannot fly. Host range • Egg masses contain between • Gypsy moth is known to 100 and 1000 eggs and are complete development on more covered with duff or yellowish than 650 species of , coloured scales from the including many forest, orchard Late stage gypsy moth larva female moth. and ornamental trees such as • Larvae grow up to 70 mm in species of Eucalyptus and Pinus. length, are dark, hairy and have a double row of dots along the back, five pairs of blue and six pairs of red. • Female moths are large and distinctive, with wavy dark-coloured bands across the forewings while males are brown with dark brown patterns on their wings.

Gypsy moth egg masses on tree trunk Female (left) and male (right) gypsy moth adults

135 Biosecurity threats 136 Coniothyrium canker

Kirramyces zuluensis Host range • The pathogen has been Identification and damage isolated on various Eucalyptus • This canker is a serious stem species, clones and hybrids pathogen of Eucalyptus and in Asia (Thailand, Vietnam); currently is not known to be Africa (Ethiopia, South Africa, present in Australia. Uganda); North America • Early symptoms of infestation (Mexico, USA and Hawaii) and are small discrete, black or South America (Argentina). dark brown lesions (‘measle spots’) on young green bark, usually at the tops of trees. • On susceptible trees, these lesions coalesce to form large Coniothyrium canker lesions on the necrotic cankers along the stem of a young eucalypt stems from which copious amounts of red kino exude. • Cankers penetrate into the sapwood, with kino pockets evident if the bark is peeled back. • Epicormic shoots are commonly produced in the cankered areas, indicative of partial girdling of the stems. The tops of severely affected trees tend to die.

Coniothyrium canker lesions on a Kino pocket under bark eucalypt stem

137 Biosecurity threats 138 Cossid moths

South American carpenter worm Host range ( valdiviana) • C. valdiviana has been South African cossid goat moth recorded on E. nitens and (Coryphodema tristis) occasionally on E. gunnii, E. camaldulensis and E. Identification and damage delegatensis in Chile. • These two species have • C. tristis has so far only recently expanded their host been recorded on E. nitens ranges to include Eucalyptus in South Africa. spp. Larvae of both species bore large galleries into the heartwood of tree trunks.

C. valdiviana C. tristis external symptoms of attack on E. nitens • Larvae are large stout grubs (note coarse white frass and resin dribbles on the bark) with a dark head and pale creamy coloured body. • Larvae form multiple galleries which can cause stem breakage in strong winds and introduce fungal rot and staining.

C. tristis • Larvae are large, stout and up to 60 mm in length, are light yellow in colour with reddish blotches and a dark brown head. • Larvae feed gregariously and form numerous galleries in infested stems. Gregarious larval feeding of C. tristis in the heartwood of E. nitens

139 Biosecurity threats 140