Anthracnose (also known as batt blotch, black spot, bird's eye rot, bird's eye red) is a fungal disease of grapevines. It can affect lupins, grasses, strawberries, blueberries and vines and is characterised by the dark, sunken lesions (burn marks) that give it its name. Black spot disease has similar symptoms, but is caused by a different type of fungus (Phomopsis viticola).
The disease is caused by the fungus Elsinoe ampelina. The fungus Colletotrichum cereale can also play a role, but this is more common in cereals such as maize and other grasses. The fungi attack the host plants mainly in regions with a humid climate or during wet weather conditions.
![]()
The glossary is a monumental achievement and one of the most important contributions to wine knowledge. Of all the encyclopaedias I use on the subject of wine, it is by far the most important. That was the case ten years ago and it hasn't changed since.
Andreas Essl
Autor, Modena