The occurrence of sexual compatibility types (mating types) was studied in a set of 59 Bremia lactucae isolates originating from 33 naturally infected and wild populations of Lactuca serriola (prickly lettuce) plants occurring in the Czech Republic, Germany and France. The isolates were collected in the period 1997-1999 as part of detailed population studies of virulence structure. Both compatibility types (B1 and B2) were recorded. However, the majority of the isolates was determined as type B2, with only two isolates being type B1. The reasons for and influence of this sexual structure are discussed in relation to the virulence of pathogen populations and interactions between wild and crop pathosystems. Occurrence of natural sexual reproduction of B. lactucae on L. serriola plants was extremely rare. Virulence variation of B. lactucae populations occurring on L. serriola would not seem to be related to sexual reproduction.