About the pinewood nematode
Nematodes are microscopic worm-like creatures. Pinewood nematodes cause 'pine wilt disease'. These nematodes can't travel out of a tree on their own, they need specific sawyer beetles to carry them from tree to tree. We don't have any beetles like that in New Zealand.
Pinewood nematodes are native to North America.
Global distribution of pinewood nematode
Why this is a problem for New Zealand
While the nematode only affects damaged or stressed trees, it can destroy entire pine forests.
If they were found here, they could create trade barriers because other countries have quarantine barriers to stop the pest.
The nematode also has a taste for fir, spruce, and larch trees.
Where will I find it?
This nematode could establish in most areas of New Zealand where there are pine trees, except for high altitude areas and some southern regions.
How could it get here?
It could piggyback into the country on a sawyer beetle. It lives inside many sawyer beetle species. These beetles might hitchhike into New Zealand in wood packaging.
The nematode might sneak through the border inside infected wood, such as wood packaging, wood chips, logs, or sleepers. This would be a problem if we had sawyer beetles present in New Zealand.
Biosecurity New Zealand has strict measures in place to limit the chances of these pests making it through the border.
How to identify these pest species
We need to keep both the nematode and its carrier beetle out of New Zealand.
Pinewood nematode
You cannot see these nematodes with the naked eye.
A sick pine tree may be the first sign they're present in New Zealand. The first symptom is a rapid change in colour of pine needles, from green to yellow or brown. The needles will wilt and then the tree will die.
Sawyer beetles
Because nematodes can travel by beetle, we want to stop sawyer beetles as well. There are a number of species that could carry the nematode to New Zealand. The main identifiers are:
- antennae twice as long as their bodies
- black bodies.
What to do if you identify a problem
- photograph it
- catch the insect (if you can)
- call 0800 80 99 66
Note: This information is a summary of these pests' global distribution and potential impacts on New Zealand.
