genus of parasitic fungi in the class Oomycetes (phylum Oomycota, kingdom Chromista) that forms two successive asexual, motile spores (zoospores). The first one is produced in a spore sac (sporangium) but soon forms a cyst from which the second zoospore arises. The latter, on contact, infects a susceptible host plant. A thick-walled structure (oospore) forms after sexual union. A. euteiches causes root rot of English pea.