Myrtle Rust

If you think you see the symptoms of myrtle rust:

• don't touch it
• members of the public are encouraged to report new observations of myrtle rust. If people suspect they have found the disease they are advised not to touch it, but to photograph it and submit clear photos of both the host plant and the symptoms – labelled as myrtle rust to iNaturalist NZ, where experts can check and confirm whether the observations of the host and the disease are correct.

If myrtle rust is positively identified, follow the following to remove affected plants or parts of plants:

• How to remove myrtle rust infected plants
  

Prevention

Based on Australian, Hawaiian and Brazilian work, MPI have included myclobutanil as being effective against myrtle rust infections. Myclobutanil is systemic, curative and protectant.

• Apply PLANThealth Spectrum at 14-21 day intervals to susceptible plants. From NZPPI - Few home garden chemicals are registered for rust diseases. Those that are include: a) Myclobutanil – available as Kiwicare Spectrum. 
• For smaller areas PLANThealth Fungus Control ready to use can be applied.

Myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii) is also known as guava rust and eucalyptus rust. Myrtle rust only affects plants in the myrtle family. The Myrtle family (family Myrtaceae) includes:

• Manauka
• Kanuka
• Rata
• Pahutakawa
• Bottle brush
• Gum trees (Eucalypts)
• Tea tree
• Guava
• Feijoa
• Lilly pilly
• Juniper myrtle
• Many others

See a full list of myrtle rust susceptible plant species.