Transmission of Bursaphelenchus Lignicolus (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) By Monochamus Alternatus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

A total of 21 beetle species, all of which were associated with deteriorated pine trees, were examined for the presence of Bursaphelenchus lignicolus. Dauerlarvae of this nematode were recovered from adults of four species of the Cerambycidae; Monochamus alternatus, Acanthocinus griseus, Arhopalus rusticus, and Corymbia succedanea. Between 75%-100% of the field population of M. alternatus in the diseased pine forests was contaminated, carrying an average number of 15,000 living nematodes per insect. Dauerlarvae were transmitted to pine tissues via feeding site of the insect on living branches. It appears that M. alternatus plays an important role in the spread of the nematode and on associated wilt disease in pine forests.