Sporulating mycelium of Davidsoniella australis on the bark of Nothofagus cunninghamii, and role as inoculum for new infections

Abstract

Sporulating mycelial mats on the bark of lower stems are a common and notable sign of Davidsoniella australis infection of Nothofagus cunninghamii in cool temperate rainforest in Tasmania and Victoria. Inoculation studies indicate viable conidia from mats may be present in the rainforest during most of the year. Air- or water-borne conidia from sporulating mats and in the frass of the ambrosia beetle Platypus subgranosus that attacks infected trees, is the likely source of new infections in N. cunninghami