First report of Mycosphaerella dearnessii in Switzerland

Brown-spot needle blight caused by Mycosphaerella dearnessii [syn. Scirrbia acicola; anamorphic state: Lecanosticta acicola (syn. Septoria acicola)] was observed for the first time in Switzerland. So far, the disease seems to be confined to planted Pinus mugo and Pinus uncinata near Zurich. Pinus sylvestris adjacent to diseased P. uncinata did not show any disease symptoms.