In this study, relevant variables were determined to predict the probability of sooty mould biofilm (SMB) occurrence on willow leaves in a multivariate model. Despite a large temporal gap between the main sap-feeding insect (SFI) season in spring (May to June) and the main season of SMBs in late summer and fall (August to September), trees infested with SFIs on four or more observation dates had significantly more SMBs (3.7-fo...

To gain an insight into fungal sooty mould communities on leaves of trees and shrubs in the tropics and in temperate regions, 47 biofilms of the Mata Atlântica rainforest relic and the Caatinga vegetation in the state of Sergipe, Northeast Brazil, and from Central European colline and alpine zones were compared. The four sampling sites clearly differed in composition of their epiphyllous fungal communities. The fungal OTUs fro...