Description
Pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, was first
reported for Portugal (and Europe) in 1999. The importance of this discovery
and economic impact are discussed. Details on the ongoing research of the
nematode and its vector, Monochamus galloprovincialis, are provided, and are
mainly on the morphology and molecular biology of the nematode and the
bioecology of the vector and its relationship with B. xylophilus. Pine products
play an important role in the Portuguese economy. The total area of forest
trees in Portugal is approximately 3 × 106 ha, of which Pinus species occupy
roughly 1.25×106 ha. Pine products include lumber, resin, pulp and pine seed,
all of which are very important economic products in our country. The Lousã
mountain contains the largest area of maritime pine, Pinus pinaster, in Europe.
On several occasions, Portuguese researchers have pointed to the dangers of
the possible presence of the pine wood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus
xylophilus, an A1 quarantine pest, according to EPPO, in Portugal (Macara,
1994).
; Bonifácio, L 
