EPPO Global Database

Melampsora medusae(MELMME)

Distribution details in Belgium

Situation
Current pest situation evaluated by EPPO on the basis of information dated 2019: Absent, confirmed by survey
Pest status declared by NPPO: Absent, confirmed by survey (2018-12)
Comments
The record of M. medusae in Belgium was queried by Dr Pinon. He wondered whether some confusion arose from a misinterpretation of a publication from Hennebert (1964) which provided a description of the fungus (but not specifically its situation in Belgium). M. medusae is not mentioned in a checklist of Uredinales in Belgium (Vanderweyen and Fraiture, 2007), and no other recent publications could be found to support the presence of M. medusae in Belgium. However, in 2007 the NPPO of Belgium officially considered it as present.

From NPPO (2019): The previous pest status is considered as invalid and based on an unreliable record. In 2007, this was not changed because of lack of survey data. Official surveys in nurseries (2010-2016), in public green, park and forest (2012-2014) and a screening in Populus plantations throughout Belgium with spore traps during a research project (2016-2017) could not detect the fungus. In December 2018, the pest status was officially declared as Absent, confirmed by survey.
References
* Hennebert GL (1964) L'identification des rouilles du peuplier. Agricultura 12, 661-670.

* NPPO of Belgium (2007-09, 2019-02).

* Personal communication with Dr Jean Pinon (INRA Nancy, FR, 2005-07).

* Vanderweyen A, Fraiture A (2007) Catalogue des Uredinales de Belgique. 1ere Partie. Lejeunia Revue de Botanique NS no. 183, 1-36.
Situation in neighbouring countries
Country State Status
France Present, few occurrences view...
Netherlands Absent, confirmed by survey view...