Bursaphelenchus xylophilus found in Mexico
For the first time Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (EPPO A1 quarantine pest) has been isolated from Mexican Pinus estevesii logs. The infested trees were found in the state of Nuevo Leon in an area called La Botella. According to the author the trees had been killed by bark beetles; foraging and larval entrance holes and larvae characteristic of Monochamus spp. were found. Pine wood nematodes were extracted from the trees and reared on fresh wood chips of P. strobi. Pathogenity tests on seedlings of P. sylvestris showed that the nematodes were capable of killing two thirds of the seedlings within three months. The author assumed that the pine wood nematode had been transmitted during oviposition of the vector to the dead or dying pines and was a secondary associate.
Sources
Dwinell, D.J. (1993) First report of pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) in Mexico.
Plant Disease 77, p.846