First report of Neofusiccoccum vitifusiforme and presence of otherBotryosphaeriaceae species associated with Botryosphaeria diebackof grapevine in Sicily (Italy)

Since 2007, when a grapevine decline caused by Lasiodiplodia theobromae was reported for the first timein Sicily, vines showing similar declining symptoms have been also found in other grape-growing areas of westernand central Sicily. We report the result of a study on fungi associated with grapevine decline in Sicily, with particularregard to those belonging to the Botryosphaeriaceae. Four species were found to be associated with decliningvines, namely Diplodia seriata, Lasiodiplodia sp., Neofusicoccum parvum and Neofusicoccum vitifusiforme, the latter speciesreported for the first time on Vitis vinifera in Italy.