Dothistroma Needle Blight (DNB) also known as Red Band Needle Blight is a disease, primarily on pine, that can be caused by the two fungal pathogens, Dothistroma septosporum and Dothistroma pini. The disease has been present in Great Britain since the 1950s and is now a serious disease of pine species there. The disease was found in Northern Ireland in 2011 on Corsican pine. The disease is present in most other EU Member States and in many other countries outside the EU.
DNB has now been found in the Republic of Ireland for the first time (September 2016). It was identified, following laboratory analysis, as being present on Scots pine trees at two forests, one in Limerick and one in Cork.
Dothistroma septosporum tree disease is listed as a quarantine disease and is regulated under the EU Plant Health Directive - Council Directive 2000/29/EC, which requires Member States to take all necessary measures to eradicate, or where that is impossible, to inhibit the spread of the harmful organism.
For more information on symptoms of Dothistroma needle blight, see:
- Dothistroma Needle Blight (DNB) - Forest Service, DAFM
- Dothistroma Needle Blight - Teagasc
- Dothistroma septosporum (SCIRPI) - EPPO Global Database
- Dothistroma (red band) needle blight - Forest Research UK
- Dothistroma Needle Blight - www.observatree.org.uk
Video to help identify Dothistroma Needle Blight:
- Dothistroma Needle Blight - identifying symptoms - Observatree training video
Biosecurity Guidance:
- Biosecurity - Good working practice for those involved in forestry - Forestry Commission Leaflet
- A DAFM Leaflet entitled 'Forest Health Biosecurity Kit' is available from the Forest Health section of the Forest Service Website.
Share this post
