Identification Symptoms

Anthracnose, caused by the fungus Elsinoe ampelina, is also known as bird’s-eye rot from its appearance on the fruit.

The disease appears first as dark red spots on the berry. Later, these spots are circular, sunken, ashy-gray and in late stages these spots are surrounded by a dark margin which gives it the “bird’s-eye rot” appearance. The spots vary in size from 1/4 inch in diameter to about half the fruit.

The fungus also attacks shoots, tendrils, petioles, leaf veins, and fruit stems. Numerous spots sometimes occur on the young shoots. These spots may unite and girdle the stem, causing death of the tips. Spots on petioles and leaves cause them to curl or become distorted.