Bursaphelenchus xylophilusPine wilt is a fatal disease of pine (Pinus sp.) caused by the nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. As a native organism to North America it is a primary pathogen of non-native, 2-3 needle pines. This includes Scots pine (P. sylvestris), Austrian pine (P. nigra) and many others. The disease is vectored by pine sawyer beetles (Monochamus sp.) as they feed on the bark and foliage of susceptible pine trees.