The spread of apple brown rot (Monilinia fructigena) by insects

Field and laboratory experiments were carried out to compare the spread of apple brown rot (Monilinia fructigena) by free aerial transmission of conidia, with insect spread of the pathogen. Significantly more brown rot developed on injured apples which had been visited by insects than on unvisited ones. The results obtained suggest that insects play an important role in aetiology of the disease, especially under conditions unsuitable for abiotic spread.