Neophloeospora maculans

Parasitic species restricted to mulberry leaves (Morus spp.), here studied on Morus nigra, causing irregular foliar lesions (leaf spots) of brownish to light brown colour contrasting with the green leaf blade, bearing minute, globose, erumpent acervuli ranging from dark brown to black, bordered by a darker, almost black margin.

Acervuli only 50–80 µm in diameter, rupturing the leaf epidermis at maturity to discharge conidia.

Conidiogenous cells short, cylindrical, simple or sparsely septate, hyaline, slightly widened at the base, measuring 15–30 µm long by 2.5–4 µm wide.

Conidia filiform, slightly tapered at one end and truncate at the other, hyaline, septate, measuring 35–70 µm long by 3.5–5.5 µm wide, mature ones mostly with 1 to 4 transverse septa, containing small guttules inside.

Herbarium material available: JTP2514/25.