Plant Pathology: Extension: Plant Disease Library

Anthracnose Fruit Rot - Colletotrichum gloeosporioides

Blueberry (High bush) - Vaccinium corymbosum

Disease Symptoms:
Distinct reddish brown leaf lesions. Fruiting bodies (acervuli) in center of spots.


Inspect spores and fruiting bodies of the fungus for identification.
Spores are elliptical to oval.

Salmon-colored conidia are discharged from the acervuli. Variable in size and shape, rounded at the ends, and often slightly curved.

Disease Management:
This disease develops during wet growing conditions. For non-commercial acreage no control is recommended but in commercial operations the intensive disease control program needed to control mummy berry will control this disease if coverage is sufficient. Refer to the Georgia Pest Control Handbook for Spray Guide information.

Click here for more information on Colletotrichum

Compiled by: Dr. Edward A. Brown, UGA Extension Plant Pathologist, Athens, GA