Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds - Mini Fact Sheet Edition

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Cocoa white thread (015)

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Photo 1. White threads of Marasmiellus scandens along a branch and then onto leaves. On some of the leaves the fungus follows the leaf margin and also the veins. The old leaves have been killed by fans of white thread growing over them.

Photo 2. Fans of the fungus, Marasmiellus scandens, growing over the underside of leaves. Note that the old leaves, killed by white thread, are held in place by strands of the fungus.

Photo 3. If the infected branches are not removed the damage from Marasmiellus scandens can become extensive.

Summary

• Worldwide distribution. In wet tropics. On cocoa and many other trees and shrubs. An important disease when cultural control operations are not done routinely.
• Fungal threads grow along branches, onto leaf stalks and blades, killing the leaves, which remain hanging in place attached by the threads.
• White toadstools occur occasionally in wet weather.
• Spread is by spores, and branches falling from shade trees onto cocoa beneath.
• Cultural control: prune out infected branches, along with the leaves, remove from the plantation, and burn them. Make regular 3-monthly inspections.
• Chemical control: none recommended.

Common Name

White thread

Scientific Name

Marasmiellus (Marasmius) scandens

This mini fact sheet is a part of the app Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds

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