Have You Seen Lipstick Rust in Your Apple Tree or Orchard?
Lipstick Rust is a newly reported fungal disease of apple in Wisconsin. It was first found in Wisconsin in 2021 and has been identified in several counties. The symptoms and signs of this disease are very similar to Cedar Apple Rust; however, the Lipstick Rust forms dark red to red-purple spots on the leaf surface as seen in the photo. Management of this disease should be similar to management programs for other rust diseases (ex. Cedar Apple Rust). The hosts of the Lipstick Rust pathogen include juniper, apple, and crabapple.
If you believe you have Lipstick Rust in your apple trees or orchard in Wisconsin, please submit a sample to the UW Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab.
Mail samples to:
Plant Disease Diagnostics Clinic (PDDC)
Department of Plant Pathology
University of Wisconsin-Madison
1630 Linden Drive
Madison, WI 53706-1598