Survey on nematodes associated with Pinus trees in Spain: absence of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus
As a consequence of the introduction of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (EPPO A1 list) in the Setúbal peninsula in Portugal, official surveys are being done in Spain on nematode species associated with pine trees. From 1999 to 2003, more than 6.000 wood samples were collected from sawmills and wood processing industries (47% of the samples), custom inspection points (6%) and pine forests (47 %). Samples of Pinus were collected from all Comunidades Autónomas and corresponded to wood of Spanish origin or from other countries. Nematodes were found only in 15% of the examined samples. Among Aphelenchoididae, 7 nematode genera were identified including 8 species belonging to the genus Bursaphelenchus: B. eggersi, B. fungivorus, B. hylobianum, B. leoni, B. mucronatus, B. pinasteri, B. sexdentati and B. teratoespicularis. B. xylophilus was not detected. In Pinus forests, all 8 species were found. B. hylobianum (on Pinus radiata), B. leoni, B. pinasteri and B. teratospicularis (on P. halepensis, P. pinaster and P. pinea) were detected only in forests and not in sawmills or border points. B. mucronatus was mainly found in sawmills on imported wood, but also in Navarra on P. halepensis, P. nigra and P. sylvestris. B. eggersi was localized in Galicia on P. pinaster and P. radiata. B. fungivorus was found in Andalucía on P. pinaster. B. sexdendati was the most commonly found species, associated with Abies alba, P. pinea, P. pinaster and P. sylvestris.
The situation of B. xylophilus in Spain can be described as follows: Absent, confirmed by survey.
Sources
Arias M, Escuer M, Bello A (2004) Nematodos asociados a madera y árboles de coníferas en pinares españoles.
Boletín de Sanidad Vegetal – Plagas, 30(3), 581-593.