Pear scab or black spot

Pear scab or black spot, is caused by the fungus Venturia pirina. It infects leaves, shoots, blossoms and fruit, and can cause serious crop loss especially in wet seasons when control measures are inadequate. The disease is found world-wide, wherever pears are grown. The fungus is closely related to apple scab, but although many similarities exist, cross-infection from one host to the other cannot occur.