pine wilt nematode
The pine wilt nematode is a parasite that kills susceptible pines (Pinus spp.). It infects living trees via insect vectors such as longhorn beetles and feeds on the cells lining the resin canals, causing the blockage of the vascular system. Pine wilt nematode is native to north America and has been identified recently in Portugal.
This definition is abridged from A – Z of tree terms: A companion to British arboriculture.
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