Investigation of beetle species that carry the pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner and Buhrer) Nickle, in China

In order to found new carriers of pine wood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, beetles were collected from pine wilt disease-affected areas in six provinces in China. A total of 8830 beetles of 29 species was collected and examined to determine whether they were PWN carriers. Eight species were identified as carriers. Results included the first worldwide report of Monochamus nigromaculatus, Semanotus sinoauster, and Uraecha angusta being carriers of PWN, and the first report from China of Arhopalus rusticus carrying PWN. Monochamus alternatus was commonly collected in all six provinces and was the dominant species in four inland affected areas and A. rusticus was dominant in two coastal affected areas. The species varied between different neighboring regions in the same province. The distribution of the same species varied considerably over different regions.