CNRMV is responsible for a group of diseases described in the USA, including
Lambert mottle, mild rusty mottle and necrotic rusty mottle, of which only
necrotic rusty mottle is known in Europe.
The usual host of CNRMV is sweet cherry. The virus causes dark, irregular mottles
on young leaves that spread over the whole foliage in June. Later the mottles become
necrotic and perforate the leaf. After a strong attack also necrosis of the
bark appear and buds do not break in the following spring. Cool springs followed
by a hot summer favour the disease.
Other cherries, apricot and peach may be receptive, but infection remains latent
with no visible symptoms.
About 10 % of cherry cultivars and rootstocks are contaminated with the pathogen.
Natural spread was never observed.