Purple Needle Eater (Delphinella Shoot Blight)
Delphinella balsameae
15 host plants
Last updated
This profile contains verified disease data from extension databases. Regional field notes and expert review are in progress.
Purple needle eater and Delphinella shoot blight cause needle discoloration and shoot dieback on conifers. Remove infected branches and improve air circulation through selective pruning. Maintain tree health through proper care. Monitor for symptoms and prune out infected tissue promptly. This blight is most damaging during cool, wet springs when flower and shoot development is rapid. Monitor plants closely during vulnerable periods.
Remove blighted tissue promptly, cutting well below visible symptoms. Improve air circulation by thinning dense growth. Avoid overhead watering, especially during bloom and new growth periods when tissues are most susceptible. For recurring problems, preventive fungicide applications timed to protect new growth can reduce infection, but cultural controls should be your first approach.
Quick Reference
Management
Spring through early summer (BBCH 10-20). New shoots and needles susceptible during rapid growth.
Spring spore release; cool wet conditions favor conidial production and infection of shoots.