Fungus-eating fungus found on myrtle rust: your sightings wanted!

That’s right, Scion researchers have found a fungus that feeds on myrtle rust while out and about doing field work for the Beyond Myrtle Rust and Ngā Rākau Taketake research programmes. And they’d love your help getting more information about where this teeny tiny fungal friend resides.

Michael Bartlett, a Scion researcher, says this fungus is in the Sphaerellopsis genus. It has been found in and around Taranaki and the Kaimai-Mamaku ranges on myrtle rust-infected ramarama (Lophomyrtus bullata), rōhutu (Lophomyrtus obcordata) and one of the climbing rātās (Metrosideros diffusa).

How you can help

Michael and the Scion team would love to know where else it occurs so they can improve their understanding of its physical range and its host range. If you want to get involved, keep a look out this summer on Myrtaceae in your area. You can submit observations on iNaturalist.

• Please list the observation under “Sphaerellopsis” or mention Sphaerellopsis in the observation note)
• and/or tag Michael Bartlett (username mjbart).

A final note – the teeny tininess of the fruiting bodies of Sphaerellopsis cannot be overstated. They are tinier than chia seeds. You’ll need a good camera (or a cell phone plus a hand lens might work) to get a clear shot. And please take care not to spread myrtle rust spores around when taking the photos.

Happy hunting!

Submit your observations

iNaturalist