First Report of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus Causing Pine Wilt Disease on Pinus radiata in Spain

The Pine Wood Nematode (PWN) Bursaphelenchus xvlophilus Nickle 1970, causal agent of pine wilt disease (PWD), was detected in the European territory for the first time in 1999 in Portugal, vectored by Monochamus galloprovincialis pine sawyer beetles. Pinus pinaster arid P. nigra have been the only pine species infected by PWN in these countries so far. A 156-ha mixed coniferous plantation, including 67 ha of 40-year-old P. pinaster and P. radiata trees, located at Sancti-Spiritus (ETRS89: 30T, X 21 1795m, Y 4509866m), 30 km away from the Portuguese border, was surveyed for PWN presence. Ninety-four P. radiata trees showing crown die-back were sampled between December 2013 and January 2014. Considering the high level of B. iviophilus natural infection in Monterey pines, this species should be regarded as susceptible to Pine Wilt Disease, at least when planted out of its natural range.