SYNOPSIS OF FUNGI LISTED AS REGULATED PLANT PESTS BY THE USDA ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE: NOTES ON NOMENCLATURE, DISEASE, PLANT HOSTS AND GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION

Authors: Cline, Erica; Farr, David

Submitted to: Plant Health Progress
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/18/2006
Publication Date: 5/5/2006
Citation: Cline, E., Farr, D.F. 2006. Synopsis of fungi listed as regulated plant pests by the usda animal and plant health inspection service: notes on nomenclature, disease, plant hosts and geographic distribution. Plant Health Progress. http://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/sub/php/diagnosticguide/2006/fungi/

Interpretive Summary: Disease-causing fungi are responsible for inflicting considerable economic damage upon agricultural crops. To combat the entry of invasive fungi, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture has compiled a list of plant pests of concern to the United States, including more than 50 species of fungi that may cause serious economic or environmental damage. For each of the fungi on the APHIS Regulated Plant Pest List, this paper provides a summary of all known scientific names that have been used for that species, as well as brief notes on where in the world and on which types of plants it occurs, and what disease symptoms it may cause. This synopsis combines the latest information on these important plant pathogens within a single document published in a web-based searchable format. A link is provided to further information about many of these species. This information will be available to all stakeholders involved in preventing the entry of exotic pests and combating their spread. Information about where pests occur and what plants they infect is an important tool in the effort to safeguard U.S. agriculture and protect native ecosystems.

Technical Abstract: To combat the entry of exotic fungal pathogens, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture has compiled a list of Regulated Plant Pests of concern to the United States, including more than 50 species of fungi that might cause serious economic or environmental damage. For each of these fungal species, this synopsis presents notes on nomenclature, disease, plant hosts and geographic distribution. The following scientific names on the list should be updated: Cercospora batatas (Pseudocercospora timorensis), Chrysomyxa ledi var. rhododendri (Chrysomyxa rhododendri), Guignardia pyricola (Botryosphaeria berengeriana f. sp. pyricola), Phacidiopycnis pseudotsugae (Allantophomopsis pseudotsugae), Pucciniastrum areolatum (Thekopsora areolata), and Stereum hiugense (Xylobolus hiugensis). Nomenclatural controversies are discussed for species including Diaporthe mali and Monilinia fructigena. Accurate information about nomenclature, geographic distribution, and plant hosts is essential in preventing the spread of invasive fungal pathogens.