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Transmission of the pine wood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus through feeding activity of Monochamus galloprovincialis (Col., Cerambycidae)
Author(s) -
Naves P. M.,
Camacho S.,
De Sousa E. M.,
Quartau J. A.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of applied entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.795
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1439-0418
pISSN - 0931-2048
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0418.2006.01111.x
Subject(s) - bursaphelenchus xylophilus , xylophilus , biology , longhorn beetle , monochamus alternatus , nematode , pinus pinaster , longevity , pest analysis , botany , wilt disease , biological pest control , zoology , horticulture , ecology , genetics
Transmission of the pinewood nematode (PWN) Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner & Bührer) Nickle to Pinus pinaster Aiton branches through feeding wounds of its vector in Portugal, Monochamus galloprovincialis Olivier, was studied under laboratory conditions. All the B. xylophilus ‐infected beetles transmitted nematodes to branches they fed. The transmission was more frequent during the first 6 weeks after emergence, with transmission peaks during the second and the sixth week. The adult M. galloprovincialis transmitted nematodes for a mean of 5 weeks, independently of the beetle's sex or longevity. No relation was found between beetle feeding intensity and effective transmission of B. xylophilus to the branches. The nematode transmission ceased after the ninth week, even in insects which still had B. xylophilus on their bodies. The longevity of the nematode‐free insects (control group) was slightly higher than the B. xylophilus ‐infected beetles, although with no significant difference. The results emphasize the necessity to control the immature stages of M. galloprovincialis prior to emergence and develop efficient strategies to capture and eliminate the recently emerged beetles, as majority of the nematode infection of healthy pine trees occurs during a short period of few weeks after beetle emergence.