Myrtle Rust can show as leaf spots and in other forms.
Photo © CSIRO

Myrtle rust (Uredo rangelii) is a serious fungal disease. It is closely related to eucalyptus/ guava rust and is a member of the group of rusts that effect members of the plant family Myrtaceae.

Genera that have been impacted to date include but not necessarily limited to Acmena, Agonis, Austromyrtus, Callistemon, Leptospermum, EucalyptusMelaleuca, Syzygium and Syncarpia.

The rust appears to be spreading rapidly. It was first detected in Australia in April 2010 at a nursery on the central coast of New South Wales.  Biosecurity Queensland advised on 15 February 2011 that the rust has been confirmed from 34 sites in Queensland. The rust has been recorded on production and retail nurseries, one Queensland Government property and a public parkland.

Apparently the rust spores are relatively very small and are spread mostly by wind.  However Biosecurity Queensland advises that the disease can spread through the movement of infected or contaminated plant material. Bees, birds and bats that have been in contact with rust spores, contaminate packages as well as contamination of workers clothing or equipment used at infected sites.

Wildlife Queensland commends Biosecurity Queensland on their efforts to date. Quarantine restrictions are already in place. Surveillance has been undertaken on nearly 200 sites.  

Nationally the decision has been made that it is not feasible to eradicate the disease from Australia and management options are being developed. 

Wildlife Queensland has grave concerns for our native bushland should this disease get a hold. It may pose yet another threat to the koala and other fauna that depend on myrtaceous plants for existence. More information is available from Biosecurity Queensland.

What Wildlife Queensland is doing

• Continue to monitor the situation
• Inform its members and supporters of this new threat

What you can do

• Inform Biosecurity Queensland of any sightings

More Information

• Myrtle Rust – back in the news! - October 2011
• Myrtle Rust continues to make its presence felt - August 2011
• Myrtle Rust looks to be slowing - July 2011
• Myrtle Rust: Will this invasion ever stop? - May 2011
• Myrtle Rust: an ongoing challenge - April 2011
• Myrtle Rust continues to spread - March 2011
• Myrtle Rust on the move! - February 2011

For more information on Wildlife Queensland's activities, call us on +61 7 3221 0194 or send us an email.