Genus Bursaphelenchus

The Pinewood Nematode

Important species: B. xylophilus

• hosts include at least 21 pine species, localized problem in US
• imported into US from Japan (Japanese pines highly susceptible)
• Pinewilt disease complex "PWDC" nematode vectored by cerambycid beetles (Monochamus) and feed on both plant cells and on fungus (Ceratocystis spp.)
• associated with host tree disrupts vascular transport, rapid wilting of needles, foliage turns grayish then dies