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Grapevine Pinot gris virus (GPGV) from the genus Trichovirus, family Betaflexiviridae, has been reported from several grape-growing regions of the world in asymp- tomatic and symptomatic vines showing leaf mottling and deformation (Saldarelli et al. 2017). A total of 108 grape- vine samples representing 14 cultivars (Black Magic, Superior Seedless, Midnight Beauty, Black Pearl, Red Globe, Crimson, Vermentino, Marselan, Chardonnay, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot noir, Syrah) were collected randomly from nine vineyards locat- ed in Bekaa Valley of Lebanon. Samples were analysed by RT-PCR for the presence of GPGV using two sets of primer pairs (DetF/DetR) targeting the movement protein (MP) and coat protein (CP) genes (Morelli et al. 2014) and primers (GPGVRepF/GPGVRepR) partially covering the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) domain of the GPGV replicase gene (Saldarelli et al. 2015). Results showed that two Black Magic and four Superior Seedless table grape cultivars, and four Vermentino and four Marselan wine grape cultivars were infected with GPGV. None of the infected vines showed disease symptoms. Infection with GPGV was found in single or multiple in- fections with grapevine virus A and grapevine fleck virus. The last two viruses were found by DAS ELISA (Agritest, Italy). DNA fragments of the RdRp and MP/CP genes of the Lebanese GPGV isolate G7, from cultivar Superior Seedless, were cloned and sequenced. Sequences were de- posited in GenBank as accession numbers MK201686 and MK201687. Analysis of the Lebanese GPGV sequences showed the C/T polymorphism in the stop codon of the MP gene that is associated with asymptomatic GPGV iso- lates (Saldarelli et al. 2015). This is the first detection of GPGV in Lebanon and the Middle East.

The pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, is the causal agent of the devastating "pine wilt disease" (PWD). It is a quarantine pest originating from North America, and a major invasive pine pest in Eurasia. In Italy and Lebanon, it has never been detected so far, even if its vector Monochamus sp. is present in both countries. To identify the nematofauna associated with the main pine species, surveys in Lebanon (Horsh Beirut and Maten Region) and Southern Italy (Ionic coast and Salenton subregion) have been conducted. Wood samples were taken from pine trees showing declining symptoms; in addition, an evaluation has been carried on the presence of PWN and other nematode species associated with bark and wood boring insects. Nematodes have been extracted from pinewood, and morphological and molecular identification will be performed to identify the species. Considering the wide distribution of Monochamus spp., conifers and climate conditions, Italy and Lebanon show favorable conditions for the development, establishment and spread of PWN. This reinforces the importance of the monitoring system set up which has to contribute to the early detection of the nematode or latent infections.