Bursaphelenchus hunanensis associated with dying Pinus species in Victoria, Australia

Bursaphelenchus hunanensis (Nematoda: Aphelenchida: Parasitaphelenchidae), identified morphologically in 2001, was associated with dying trees from several species of the genus Pinus at several locations around Melbourne, Victoria. This is the first record for Australia of this nematode and the first detection of this species outside China. The nematode was apparently eradicated through a targeted campaign and perhaps poor vectors. This success is significant because it demonstrates that eradication may be a viable strategy for dealing with incursions of exotic nematodes.