EPPO Distribution List for Bursaphelenchus xylophilus
Due to the new record of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus in Mexico the distribution of this EPPO A1 quarantine pest is as follows:
EPPO Distribution List: Bursaphelenchus xylophilus
It is presumed that B. xylophilus originated in North America and was transported from there to the southern Japanese island of Kyushu in infested timber at some time around the beginning of the 20th century. The fact that native American conifers are mostly resistant, while Japanese species are susceptible, tends to support this view. From Japan it has spread to other Asian countries.
EPPO region: Absent.
Surveys to determine whether B. xylophilus may be present have been conducted in several European countries (including Finland, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, UK) but the species was not found. Furthermore, an examination in Finland of 150 consignments of conifer wood from European countries failed to detect the species. B. xylophilus was reported on P. pinaster in the south-west of France but later microscopic and biochemical examination showed that it was, in fact, B. mucronatus. It was found associated with dead or dying Pinus, but it was concluded that it was not responsible for the mortality. In addition to France, B. mucronatus has also been found in Austria, Finland, Norway, Russia, Sweden.
Asia: China (Jiangsu Province only; Zhang & Huang, 1990), Hong Kong, Japan, Korea Republic, Taiwan.
Africa : Nigeria (dubious record)
North America: Canada, USA (recorded from at least 34 states).
This distribution list replaces all previous published EPPO Distribution Lists on Bursaphelenchus xylophilus!
Sources
EPPO Secretariat, Paris (1993-09)