Stimulating Effects of β-Myrcene on Molting and Multiplication of the Pine Wood Nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus

Abstract

The stimulating effects of monoterpenes in pine trees on the molting and the multiplication of the pine wood nematode were investigated. The results indicated that the molting of the dispersal 4th stage larva (L_IV) to the adult nematode was stimulated by these monoterpenes, especially β-myrcene. The population of the nematode cultured on fungal mats of B. cinerea, A. kikuchiana and C. miyabeanus increased considerably in the presence of a small amount of β-myrcene. This compound seemed to play a hormone-like role for both the molting of L_IV and the multiplication of the nematode.