Determination of insect vectors of Bursaphelenchus fuchs, 1937 species (Nematoda: Parasitaphelenchidae) in different regions of: Turkey (Aegean and Marmara)

Pine Wilt Disease has been one of the most important forest diseases especially in the continent of Asia (Japan, China, South Korea and Taiwan) in the past century. The disease is known as wilting of infected pine trees by Bursaphelenchusxylophilus known as the pinewood nematode. The nematode is transmitted by insects mainly the genus Monochamus (COLEOPTERA: Cerambycidae) to new host trees. In Turkey, after surveys of the pinewood nematode, several Bursaphelenchus species except B. xylophilus have been isolated from wilted conifer trees. Since there has been no record on insect vectors of these Bursaphelenchus species, it has been necessary to start a study for determination of the insect vectors. For this purpose, in forests (Aegean and Marmara regions), where Bursaphelenchus species are exist, the potential insect vectors of Bursaphelenchus species have been investigated by using trap trees and pheromone traps. B. anamurius was isolated and identified from Orthotomicus erosus and Ips sexdentatus in Manisa. B. mucronatus was isolated and identified from Monochamus galloprovincialis in İzmir, from O. erosus in Manisa, and from I. sexdentatus in Isparta. B. eggersi was isolated and identified from Tomicus piniperda in Manisa and İzmir. B. sexdentati was isolated and identified from Acanthocinus aedilis and O. erosus in İzmir, and from Arhopalus rusticus in Denizli. The reports of insect vectors of these Bursaphelenchus species were presented for the first time from Turkey.