A survey for Bursaphelenchus spp. in pine forests in Norway.

Wood samples from pine trees were taken from 429 sites throughout Norway. The samples were selected as being either from (1) healthy trees, (2) trees suffering from stress, either physical or pathological or (3) dead trees. Nematodes were recovered from 39% of samples, most from dead wood and least from healthy trees. Species of Bursaphelenchus were recovered from 12% of dead trees and 5% of stressed trees, but were never found in healthy wood. B. mucronatus was found at just one site and in this sample it was associated with Monochamus sutor, only one of two sites at which the beetle was detected. Based on the information gained from the survey and from other sources, an assessment is made of the risk of introduction of B. xylophilus from outside Europe on imported wood and its survival, spread and disease potential in European forests.