Identification of pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) loading response genes in Japanese pine sawyer (Monochamus alternatus) through comparative genomics and transcriptomics

Pine wood nematode (PWN; Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) is the causative agent of pine wilt disease (PWD), which is considered the most dangerous biohazard to conifer trees globally. The transmission of PWN relies on insect vectors, particularly the Japanese pine sawyer (JPS; Monochamus alternatus). However, the molecular mechanism underlying PWN-JPS assembly remains largely unknown.