Transmission of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus between Monochamus alternatus and Monochamus saltuarius through interspecific mating behaviour

Akbulut, Suleyman/0000-0002-1497-3562 WOS: 000465174800019 Cerambycid adults of the genus Monochamus transmit the pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus [Steiner et Buhrer] Nickle), the causative agent of pine wilt disease. To confirm the transmission of B. xylophilus between vector species, nematode-infected Monochamus alternatus Hope and nematode-free Monochamus saltuarius (Gebler) adults were paired and their behaviour was observed for 107-220 min. In three pairs that exhibited mounting without copulation, nematode transmission occurred, whereas it was not found in another pair without mountings. The effect of nematode transmission between different vector species on the invasion biology of B. xylophilus is discussed. Japan Society for the Promotion of ScienceMinistry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan (MEXT)Japan Society for the Promotion of Science [26292080] Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Grant/Award Number: JSPS KAKENHI grant 26292080