CANAVIRGELLA BANFIELDII GEN AND SP-NOV - A NEEDLECAST FUNGUS ON PINE

Canavirgella banfieldii gen. and sp.nov. (Ascomycetes: Rhytismatales) is a previously undescribed needlecast fungus attacking Pinus strobus throughout the eastern U.S.A. from North Carolina to Maine. Pinus peuc e was severely infected in northern Vermont. Hysterothecia average 3.2 cm long and are epiphyllous, subhypodermal, and dematiaceous, with cl avate asci bearing short rod-shaped ascospores. Pycnidia are epiphyllo us, subhypodermal, concolorous, blisterlike with one or more pores, an d produce minute bacillar conidia. These characteristics separate this fungus from existing genera as presently defined.