Journal of Nematology (1998) 30, 255-261

W.T. Stamps and M.J. Linit (1998)
Neutral storage lipid and exit behavior of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus fourth-stage dispersal juveniles from their beetle vectors
Journal of Nematology 30 (2), 255-261
Abstract: The J4 dispersal juvenile is a specialized life stage of the pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner and Buhrer) Nickle, that is transported by cerambycid beetles in the genus Monochamus. The mediation of J4 exit from beetle vectors is poorly understood. We hypothesized that decreasing neutral storage lipid in B. xylophilus J4 was related to behaviors leading to their exit from the beetle on which they are carried. J4 remaining within beetles and J4 exited from beetles were fixed, stained, and digitized for computerized image analysis of neutral storage lipid content. Nematodes remaining within beetles had significantly higher neutral lipid area than those that exited during the first 4 weeks of adult beetle life. Neutral storage lipid content of J4 from within beetles decreased dramatically at week 5 and remained low through week 10. Desiccation was thought to be the reason for this decrease. Neutral storage lipid was correlated with nematode exit and may contribute to B. xylophilus exit from vectors.
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Database assignments for author(s): William Terrell Stamps, Marc J. Linit

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
transmission/dispersal of plant diseases

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Bursaphelenchus xylophilus
	Monochamus carolinensis