Life history of Bursaphelenchus conicaudatus (Nematoda : Aphelenchoididae)in relation to the yellow-spotted longicorn beetle, Psacothea hilaris (Coleoptera : Cerambycidae)

The life history of the nematode Bursaphelenchus conicaudatus and its phore tic relationship to the yellow-spotted longicorn beetle. Psacothea hilaris, were studied, and are discussed by comparison with those of the pinewood n ematode B. xylophilus. the pathogen of the pine wilt disease, and its vecto rs Monochamus species. The life history of B. conicaudatus was found to be very similar to that of B. xylophilus in dispersal pattern, vector selectio n and feeding preference, although the average number of B. conicaudatus ca rried by the yellow-spotted longicorn beetle. the proportion of beetles inf ested with the nematodes. and the nematode release pattern differed from th ose of B. xylophilus. These findings indicate a close relationship between the two species of Bursaphelenchus and the cerambycid beetles, as well as t he adaptability of these two nematode species to the life cycles of their v ectors.