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Field guide to exotic pests and diseases: Casuarina blister bark
Trichosporium vesiculosum Butler
Sooty spore mass in bark layers on host
Source: CSIRO Forestry and Forest Products
Bark blisters and exposed sooty spore mass
Source: CSIRO Forestry and Forest Products
Distribution: India, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Kenya.
Hosts:species of Casuarinaceae.
Signs: trees 2-4 years most often affected: show foliage yellowing, rapid wilting, desiccation. Disease can be recognised by firm raised blistering of bark, varying in size and shape, join together lengthwise along trunk or branches on some dead trees. Black, sooty spore masses often evident on bark rupturing, peeling or flaking.
Likely pathway: nursery stock, bark and wood packaging material including dunnage.
Potential impact: can cause heavy loss in plantations, with mortality rates to 90%.