Bursaphelenchus andrassyi sp. n., found in conifer wood samples from Romania and Turkey, is characterised morphologically and genetically. Bursaphelenchus andrassyi sp. n. clearly belongs to the sexdentati group, having a terminal bursa, four lateral lines, a very small female 'vulval flap', strongly arcuate spicules and the typical position of caudal papillae of males. It is morphologically most similar to B. vallesianus and B. sexdentati. It can be differentiated from B. vallesianus by the usually subcylindrical female tail with rounded or wedge-shaped terminus vs conical female tail with a more or less rounded terminus, slightly different shape of spicules (low square condylus, lacking a distinct cucuUus, pointed rostrum) and from B. sexdentati by lacking a distinct post-vulval constriction, shorter stylet and shorter spicules. The species status is supported by ITS-RFLP patterns and sequencing results of both partial 18S and 28S rDNA regions.

An overview of the occurrence of species of the genus Bursaphelenchus in Romania is presented. The data is based on recent surveys conducted for the first time throughout the country, to monitor and evaluate the potential entry of the pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. Wood samples were collected from declining trees, wood‐processing companies and imported wood packaging material. Of the 895 wood samples examined, 11 contained Bursaphelenchus specimens. Morphological and molecular analyses were carried out to characterize the species detected. With respect to the possible presence of B. xylophilus, all samples were negative, confirming the absence of this quarantine pest in Romania. Nevertheless, five Bursaphelenchus species were found: B. hofmanni, B. poligraphi, B. vallesianus, B. willibaldi, and one putative new species belonging to the sexdentati group, classified here as Bursaphelenchus sp. NR512. These results constitute the first report of the genus Bursaphelenchus in Romania.