Myrtle Rust Reporter

Your help is needed to monitor the spread of myrtle rust. This disease is a serious biosecurity threat. Myrtle rust is caused by a fungus that spreads in the air. People can also move fungal spores around, and introduce the disease to new hosts and areas where it may not independently arrive. Plants in the Myrtaceae family (myrtles) are at risk from dieback and death from myrtle rust.

Information is urgently needed on the whereabouts, hosts, and intensity of this disease in NZ. Reporting myrtle rust on iNaturalist provides valuable information to land managers and researchers. We would like you to take photos of disease symptoms and of the host. Identify your observation as “myrtle rust” or “Austropuccinia psidii” in the “what did you see” field. The iNaturalist community will help confirm your observations. You can also add further information about the infection in the observation form in this project. Repeated observations are welcome – every report helps track changes in the disease.

You can take pictures using a smart phone within the app or camera and upload them via the website later. Helpful images include:

1. Close up images of symptoms (usually yellow powdery spores)
2. Images of the leaves, and any flowers or fruit if present
3. View of the plant(s) as a whole (if possible), to show the surrounding habitat/environment

You can add healthy trees too. Make observations of Myrtaceae when you see them as well, including images of 2 & 3 above.

To reduce the risk of spreading the disease, avoid brushing against myrtles. Arrive with clean gear and check it when you leave. If you see yellow spores on your clothing, turn it inside out and store in a plastic bag before washing. Clean skin with soap and water to remove and kill spores. Wipe down phones and other sensitive gear with alcohol-based products, such as hand-sanitisers or methylated spirits.

For answers to myrtle rust FAQs, see: https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/discover-our-research/biosecurity/ecosystem-resilience/beyond-myrtle-rust/faq/ less ↑