Early identification and delineation of harmful insects and diseases are important so that prompt action can be taken to mitigate their impacts.
Over the last two decades, pinewood nematode (PWN), a destructive disease of pine forests, has caused significant mortality to many forests in northeast Asia and southern Europe prompting a global quarantine alert, which is affecting international trade. Pinewood nematode is vectored by cerambycid beetles (Monochamus spp.), which are the causal agents for spreading pine wilt disease (PWD). As more research is conducted and experience gained by PWN affected countries, valuable tools are being developed to help survey, identify, and manage PWN.
With this in mind the Asia-Pacific Forest Invasive Species Network (APFISN), along with the Nanjing Forestry University, The International Society of Zoological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations held a workshop on the identification, biology, and management of pine wilt disease (PWD) in Nanjing, China from October 23-27, 2023.
Additional support was provided by the United States Forest Service, Chinese Forest and Grasslands Administration, and the University of the Sunshine Coast.
The purpose of the workshop was to provide participants with hands on knowledge to identify PWD symptoms in the field, isolate and identify pinewood nematode (causal agent for PWD) morphologically using a microscope, and detect and identify pinewood nematode through molecular techniques. Additionally, participants learned about the general biology, ecology, and management of PWD; including PWN and vector lifecycles, known distribution, and control measures for PWD.
Participants also attended the IUFRO Symposium on Pine Wilt Disease “The Prevention, Theory, Technology and Management of Pine Wilt Disease”, where they were able to interact with international colleagues active in the research and management of PWD.
Following are photos of participants in action, gaining skills to identify and detect PWN and the disease it causes.
Learning About Pine Wilt Disease in the Field and Classroom
Searching for Pinewood Nematode Under a Microscope
Isolating Pinewood Nematode From Wood Samples
Pinewood Nematode Found, Now Lets Extract some DNA
Attending the 2023 IUFRO Symposium on Pine Wilt Disease
Discussing What We Learned
We Made It!!!
