A novel rapid sampling method for pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Nematoda: Parasitaphelenchidae)

Abstract

The pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner & Buhrer) Nickle, is listed as a quarantine pest in the legislation of more than 40 countries. Rapid and accurate detection of the pinewood nematode in coniferous chips, sawn wood, and logs is critical in preventing the introduction of the nematode and forms the basis for quarantine regulations. The traditional but laborious Baermann-funnel sampling technique delays the detection of pinewood nematode. We applied the chemotactic response of pinewood nematode to its insect vector, Monochamus alternatus Hope, to develop a novel and rapid sampling method. A trap tube, baited with a blend of attractant terpenes (α-pinene, β-pinene, and longifolene, 1:2.7:1.1) is shown to effectively capture third-stage dispersal juveniles of pinewood nematode from infested wood under laboratory and field conditions. Nematodes were first isolated after a 2 h trapping period, and the number of nematodes recovered increased with the duration of trapping. This chemical attraction technique is simple, effective, and rapid and should assist greatly in the detection of pinewood nematode at both ports-of-entry and forest habitats.