Implications of Monochamus sartor urussovi Fisher as a Carrier of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner and Buhuer) for Pinus koraiensis Siebold & Zucc. Populations in China

ABSTRACT During a 2022 pine wilt disease survey in Wangqing County, Jilin Province, China, the pinewood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus , was found infesting a local pine forest. However, the specific insect vector responsible for transmitting the pathogen remains unconfirmed. In April 2022, wood sections from Pinus koraiensis trees that had been killed by the disease were collected. From these sections, 93 Monochamus sartor urussovi beetles emerged, carrying fourth‐stage dispersal juveniles of the pine wood nematode. The rate of nematode carriage in the M . sartor urussovi population was 53.8%, with an average PWN load of 257 ± 163.2 nematodes per beetle. Adult M . sartor urussovi beetles were fed with six‐year‐old potted P. koraiensis seedlings, resulting in a 100% mortality rate within 120 days. The nematode load isolated from the dead pine seedlings was 653 ± 142 nematodes/g. In the same P. koraiensis field plot, 213 individuals of M . sartor urussovi were collected from pheromone traps in July 2022. These results indicate that M. sartor urussovi has the vector capacity necessary for the transmission of PWN. This research provides reference data for the control and management of pine wilt disease.