Abstract
A description is provided for Lophodermium conigenum. Information is included on the disease caused by the organism, its transmission, geographical distribution, and hosts. HOSTS: Mainly Diploxylon (two-three needle) pines, including Pinus brutia, P. densiflora, P. montana, P. mugo, P. nigra, P. resinosa, P. sylvestris, P. tabuliformis, P. contorta, P. halepensis, P. pinea and P. radiata. Has also been recorded from Haploxylon (five needle) pines. DISEASE: Needle cast of pines. Lophodermium conigenum inhabits green needles on the tree, producing no symptoms. When a branch bearing such needles is killed by an agent other than the fungus, L. conigenum fruits seprophytically on the needles. It causes no significant damage to the tree. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: Widespread in Europe, a couple of records from the USA (east coast and Michigan) where it is apparently not common, New Zealand. TRANSMISSION: By air-borne ascospores in wet weather/humid conditions.