The pine wood nematode: a comparison of the situation in the United States and Japan

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Abstract
The pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchusxylophilus (Steiner and Buhrer) Nickle, causes a wilt of pines in Japan. Severe damage to forests in Japan have been occurring for the past 30 years. Recently, the nematode has been found on conifers throughout the United States. Little is known of the biology and etiology of the pine wood nematode in North America. At present, there appears to be little threat to native coniferous forests of the United States and Canada. This is indicated by the wide host range and extensive geographic distribution of the nematode, association of the nematode on trees severely weakened by insects and diseases, and presence of the nematode in the United States since the early part of this century. Monoculture of susceptible conifers, offsite plantings and the introduction of potentially more effective vectors could, however, result in an increased damage by the nematode.