First Report of Phaeosphaeria chengduensis Isolated from Gametis jucunda in Korea

A fungal strain, KNUF-4H-A belonging to the genus Phaeosphaeria was isolated from the citrus flower chafer (Gametis jucunda) in Chungcheongbuk-do, Korea. This strain was further identified as Phaeosphaeria chengduensis through phylogenetic analyses based on a concatenated dataset of DNA sequences of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, as well as the small subunit rDNA (SSU), large subunit rDNA (LSU), RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2), and translation elongation factor 1-α (TEF1-α) genes. The isolate KNUF-4H-A exhibited typical cultural characteristics of P. chengduensis, producing colonies that were flattened, greenish-grey at the edges, grey-white at the center, and dark brown on the reverse side. Phaeosphaeria species have been reported in various ecosystems, including terrestrial and freshwater environments. The isolation of KNUF-4H-A from the citrus flower chafer provides valuable insights into the habitat diversity of Phaeosphaeria. This is the first record of Phaeosphaeria chengduensis in Korea.