Three species of botryosphaeriaceous fungi, Botryosphaeria sp. isolate MAMB-5, Botryosphaeria ribis and Lasiodiplodia theobromae, were compared for the production of pycnidia and laccases. Laccases were produced both intra- and extra-cellularly when the fungi were cultivated on basal medium in the presence and absence of veratryl alcohol, with Botryosphaeria sp. MAMB-5 showing the highest enzyme titres. Electrophoretic examination of intracellular marker proteins (esterases and phosphatases) and laccases indicated that the three species were genetically distinctly different, although the laccase zymograms for the three fungi showed similarity. The production of pycnidia occurred under continuous lighting at 28°C, but conditions differed among the three fungal species. Production could be induced on artificial media (potato-dextrose and oat agar) under stress-induced conditions where the mycelium was stimulated by physical abrasion, and in the case of Botryosphaeria sp. isolate MAMB-5 on eucalypt woodchips. Evidence is presented that veratryl alcohol facilitated the secretion of intracellular-locailsed laccases into the extracellular medium.