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Key message This study takes stock of the first 20 years (2000–2019) of monitoring the pine wood nematode (PWN) in metropolitan France. While PWN was never found in the wild during this period, it was reported in some wood-based commodities entering or circulating on French territory. This stresses the importance of remaining extremely vigilant, as the conditions found in France, especially weather conditions, could be particularly suitable for the pest’s establishment. Context The pine wood nematode (PWN) Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, responsible for pine wilt disease (PWD), is one of the most important forest tree pests worldwide. It is thus the focus of many monitoring programmes. In the European Union, for example, it is categorised as a priority quarantine pest, so each member state is obliged to monitor the PWN on its territory. Aims The first objective of this paper was to describe PWN monitoring in metropolitan France, namely how it is organised and whether it has led to the nematode’s detection. Secondly, we wished to investigate what the levels of PWD expression for host pines infected by B. xylophilus would be in France. Thirdly, we wanted to find out whether other Bursaphelenchus species had been found on French territory during these two decades of PWN monitoring. Methods We analysed data from samples collected in the framework of the monitoring programme between 2000 and 2019 to track the PWN in its host pines, its insect vector (Monochamus spp.) and in wood-based commodities imported into or circulating in metropolitan France. We also generated risk maps of PWD expression based on an evapo-transpiration model using climate data for the period 2000–2019. Results This monitoring, which was regularly reinforced from 2000 to 2019, consisted of sampling and analysing around 18,000 wood samples and 66,000 insects over this period. Although the PWN was not detected in pine stands or within its insect vector, some wood-based commodities were found to be contaminated. Risk maps of PWD expression show that in the most recent years (2015–2019), the weather conditions in a large fraction of metropolitan France were suited to PWD expression, mostly with a delay (i.e., latency) between infection and observable wilt symptoms. PWN monitoring has also revealed the presence of other Bursaphelenchus species, most of which were discovered for the first time in metropolitan France and are described herein. Conclusion While metropolitan France is still free of the PWN, this study emphasises the need to remain cautious as the French territory appears particularly suitable for this pest’s establishment. Furthermore, our research has led us to propose some ideas on how to improve PWN monitoring.

Considering the growing trade of seed potato, reliable diagnostic protocols are required for the detection of regulated nematode species. In this study, a specific and sensitive multiplex Taqman-based real-time PCR method was developed in order to detect and identifyGlobodera pallida,G. rostochiensisandHeterodera schachtii. The newly designed primers and probes enabled the detection of all the target populations tested and with no cross-reaction for closely related non-target species (55 populations tested). The limit of detection (LOD) was one juvenile forG. rostochiensisandG. pallidaand five juveniles forH. schachtii. For monitoring potato cyst nematodes, this analytical tool would extend the number of cyst investigated as five juveniles can be detected among 50 cysts in a sample. Furthermore, this multiplex assay detects DNA of the three targeted species in template DNA obtained directly from float material after nematode extraction from soil.

International audience; AbstractEnvironmental and economic issues affect decision-making for whether or not to control small infestations of pests and pathogens in crops. Even where no crop yield loss is expected, other risks may be evident, such as the slow accumulation of pathogen inocula. The prevalence of toxins, arising from biotic interactions with fungal diseases, can alter crop quality rather than quantity. Thus, farmer decisions for whether to tolerate pest infestation must take into account several direct and immediate and/or delayed potential risks. Published scientific evidence on the co-occurrence of risk factors resulting from the presence of different pests and pathogens are largely absent, and this has stifled the adoption of integrated pest management. Here, we tested how the withdrawal of herbicide and insecticide protection in maize, alone and in combination, might induce higher prevalence of up to 23 mycotoxins in the crop at harvest. The experiment was conducted over 4 years in 29 fields in the south west of France. The test involved a comparison of paired samples collected from treated and untreated plots. All nine major mycotoxins that were observed in more than 4 % of the samples showed highly variable concentrations both between fields and years. The overall trend following the cessation of pesticide protection, however, is for higher levels of mycotoxins and up to a six-fold increased in nivalenol mean concentration (to 202.3 μg kg−1 of maize seeds) compared to its treated control. Overall mycotoxin concentrations approached 55–67 % of their maximum acceptable rate, a situation of reduced security margin that could lead to economic penalties and market restrictions. We found that the removal of herbicides had a greater impact than that of insecticides on the prevalence of mycotoxins, which differs from the expectation stated in the literature. This finding is further reinforced by the observation that certain species of weeds harbor several species of Fusarium. This means that weeds not only play a role as crop competitors but also as reservoirs of inoculum in the field. Our findings illustrate the importance of sanitary evaluation when the implementation of new cropping systems will alter the distribution and occurrence of pests and pathogens.