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Six species of the genus Bursaphelenchus were recovered as the result of a survey to assess the potential introduction of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus into the conifer forests of Romania. Bursaphelenchus xylophilus was not detected in the sampling regions. Bursaphelenchus dietrichi was recovered from one point, representing the first report of this species in the country. The other detected species, B. abietinus, B. andrassyi, B. hofmanni, B. fraudulentus and B. willibaldi, were characterized by their morphometric data and molecular analyses. The morphometrics of Romanian populations of B. hofmanni and B. willibaldi are presented for the first time. The phylogenetic relationships of the recovered species (except for B. abietinus, with no successful sequencing) were reconstructed using the sequences of the D2‐D3 expansion segments of the large subunit of ribosomal DNA (D2‐D3LSU rDNA). Some of the species were also characterized using the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) pattern of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) fragment. The distribution, related host trees and phylogenetic relationships of the identified species are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a result of the detection of the pinewood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus in Portugal, and its subsequent spread to Spain, intense surveys were conducted to screen for the presence of Bursaphelenchus species in Romania. Herein, we report recent surveys of insects potentially vectoring Bursaphelenchus species collected using trap trees or pheromone‐baited traps placed in the forest. Trap felled spruce trees (Picea abies) and pheromone‐baited traps were installed in six different counties in Romania (Brașov, Sibiu, Suceava, Hunedoara, Timiș and Dâmbovița). Ten different species of insects distributed among Curculionidae and Cerambycidae were obtained. Nematodes were extracted from insects and observed to validate the presence of Bursaphelenchus specimens. One female identified as Monochamus sutor was the only specimen carrying nematodes in the genus Bursaphelenchus. Nematodes were identified as B. mucronatus based on morphological and molecular features. This is the first detection and report of natural spread of B. mucronatus in Romania. The absence of B. xylophilus was confirmed in the areas of Romania surveyed in this work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The pinewood nematode ( PWN) Bursaphelenchus xylophilus is an important conifer disease worldwide. It is the direct cause of the death of millions of pines in south-east Asia (mainly Japan, China and Korea) and has been established in Portugal since 1999. The phasing out of methyl bromide has created an urgent need for alternative treatment of wood packaging materials. The effect of sulfuryl fluoride ( SF), a broad-spectrum fumigant used to control insects, was tested in Pinus pinaster boards naturally infested by PWN. Results Boards were fumigated for 24 h at three different temperatures (15, 20 and 30 °C) with dosage ranges of 3169-4407, 1901-4051 and 1385-2141 gh m−3 respectively. Treated wood was sampled for nematode identification and counting, before treatment and after 24 h, 72 h and 21 days. No survival was found in the 15 °C and 30 °C treatments, while at 20 °C the mortality ranged from 94.06 to 100%. Some reasons for the survival at 20 °C are presented. Conclusion Results confirm SF to be an effective quarantine treatment for PWN at 15 and 30 °C. Further studies are needed to obtain the most effective dosage at 20 °C, and to determine the toxicity of SF fumigation on B. xylophilus at other temperatures, especially at 25 °C. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]