First record of Bursaphelenchus hildegardae Braasch et al., 2006 (Nematoda) in New Zealand with updated information on morphology, sequencing and a key to species of the eggersi-group.

Bursaphelenchus hildegardae Braasch et al., 2006 was collected from pine wood (Pinus radiata) growing in Kaingaroa Timberlands, and a bark beetle, Hylastes ater Paykull, 1800 in New Zealand. This is a new record for B. hildegardae, occuring in New Zealand, and the second report from the southern hemisphere in addition to Australia. In general, the New Zealand isolate of B. hildegardae corresponds well with the description of B. hildegardae given by Braasch et al. (2006) from Germany. The New Zealand isolate is characterized by having an adult body length of 8071190 m, medium a ratios (47.558.5 for female and 44.660.1 for male), b ratios of 9.814.5 (female) and 10.212.7 (male), c ratios of 18.825.2 (female) and 21.632.4 (male), c ratios of 4.04.4 (female) and 2.12.7 (male), and is characterised by having three incisures in the lateral fields, thorn-shaped spicules with a distinctly dorsally-bent thin hook-like condylus, and a dorso-ventally visible terminal bursa. In addition, molecular phylogeny using near full length small subunit (SSU), D2/D3 expansion segments of the large subunit (LSU) and the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS1 and 2) of the ribosomal rDNA supports the identification. A key to Bursaphelenchus species in the eggersi-group is given.

First record of the root knot nematode, Meloidogyne minor in New Zealand with description, sequencing information and key to known species of Meloidogyne in New Zealand.

Meloidogyne minor Karssen et al. 2004 was collected from perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) growing in a sports ground in Christchurch, New Zealand. This is a new record for M. minor, the first report of this nematode occurring in New Zealand, and the second report from the southern hemisphere (after Chile). In general, the New Zealand isolate of M. minor corresponds well to the descriptions of M. minor given by Karssen et al. (2004). The New Zealand isolate is characterized by having a female with dorsally curved stylet, 13-14 µm long, with transversely ovoid knobs slightly sloping backwards from shaft; rounded perineal pattern; and male with stylet 16-19 µm long, large transversely ovoid knobs sloping slightly backwards from shaft; head region not set off, labial disc elevated, lateral lips prominent; and second stage juvenile 370-390 µm long, with hemizonid posterior but adjacent to excretory pore; tail 53-63 µm long; and a distinct hyaline tail terminus 14-18 µm long. In addition, molecular phylogeny using near full length small subunit (SSU), D2/D3 expansion segments of the large subunit (LSU), the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS1 and 2), and the intergenic spacer (IGS2) of the ribosomal rDNA supports the identification.