- Widespread distribution. Asia, tropical America, Oceania. On cocoa, tea, mango and black pepper. The fungus does not cause a disease.
- Thin, dark threads grow over the leaves and branches, without infecting them. The leaves die naturally, but are held in place by the threads, making it look as if they have killed them.
- Cultural control: none required on cocoa, although it is uncertain if the fungus is a pathogen of other crops.
- Chemical control: none required.
Pacific Pests, Pathogens, Weeds & Pesticides - Online edition
Pacific Pests, Pathogens, Weeds & Pesticides
Cocoa horsehair blight (005)
Click/tap on images to enlarge
Summary
Common Name
Horsehair blight
Scientific Name
Marasmius crinis-equi; also Marasmius equicrinis.
AUTHORS Helen Tsatsia & Grahame Jackson
Information from CABI (2020) Marasmius crinis-equi (horse hair blight). Crop Protection Compendium. (https://www.cabi.org/cpc/datasheet/34923).
Produced with support from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research under project PC/2010/090: Strengthening integrated crop management research in the Pacific Islands in support of sustainable intensification of high-value crop production, implemented by the University of Queensland and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.
