Reproduction success of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus
In Finland experiments were carried out to study the reproduction success of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (EPPO A1 quarantine pest) under Finnish climatic conditions and to compare the results with those of B. mucronatus. The experiments were conducted under laboratory conditions as well as under natural conditions. B. xylophilus nematode isolates from Vermont (US), Missouri (US) and eastern Canada were used as well as a B. mucronatus isolate from Finland. It was found that at steady temperatures B. xylophilus had a higher reproduction rate than B. mucronatus, but that under fluctuating temperatures B. mucronatus had more reproductive success than the southern isolate of pine wood nematode. Furthermore the northern isolates of B. xylophilus had more reproductive success than the southern isolate when incubated at a constant temperature of 14ø C. To complete their life cycle the nematodes needed the following number of days: B. xylophilus 5 days and B. mucronatus 5-6 days at 23ø C, both species 2-3 days at 28ø C, B. mucronatus 3 days and B. xylophilus 3-4 days at 34ø C.
Sources
Tomminen, J. (1993) Reproductive success of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus and B. mucronatus at constant and fluctuating temperatures.
European Journal of Forest Pathology, 23; 342-352.