The pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus; PWN) is an exotic invasive species. It causes pine wilt disease. Since the index case in Nanking, China (1982) it has been epidemic, spreading rapidly and destroying Chinese pine forests. Pine wilt disease requires a vector (the pine sawyer beetle) and accessory microbes, both fungi and bacteria. Extensive chemical communication adjusts the behavior of the PWN and promotes transmission. These can potentially alter the course of individual cases and th...