A NONDESTRUCTIVE METHOD OF DETERMINING BURSAPHELENCHUS-XYLOPHILUS INFESTATION OF MONOCHAMUS SPP VECTORS

Pine wilt is caused by the nematode B ursaphelenchus xylophilus, which is transported to host trees in the trachea of Monochamus spp. (Coleo ptera: Cerambycidae). The study of the relationship between the nemato de and its beetle vectors has been hampered by the inability to estima te nematode presence or density within live beetles. This report descr ibes a rapid method for estimating nematode load within live M. caroli nensis and M. alternatus by visual examination of the atrium of the fi rst abdominal spiracle. Visual estimates of nematode numbers correlate d highly with actual nematode numbers. This method is a timesaving tec hnique for determining relative numbers of B. xylophilus in pine wilt research.