Powdery mildew – 2015

Approximately 54 species of powdery mildew have been identified in 2015; from 8 genera and all 5 tribes.

This is an increase from the 34 found in the 2013 season (approximately April – October), from 8 different genera. Almost definitely due to the increased sampling size (from 43 samples from Reading to 353 samples with a UK wide distribution).

However the 54 species identified in 2015 is less than the 59 species found in the 2014 season from 10 different genera. I put this reduction down to my increasing cynicism in my ability to discern closely related species of the powdery mildew. As such you will see an increased number of powdery mildews on their hosts identified only as far as genus (e.g. Erysiphe sp.).

Powdery mildew species are listed below, like last year,  in order of phylogeny (most newly evolved genera (within the tribe Erysipheae) to oldest/most basal genera (within the tribe Blumerieae).