Population dynamics of bacteria associated with different strains of the pine wood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus after inoculation in maritime pine (Pinus pinaster)

► Bacteria isolated from nematodes were similar to those isolated from Pinus pinaster. ► The severity of symptoms varied between the different treatments. ► As in China and Japan, Portuguese PWN naturally carries bacteria. ► Bacterial isolates from control pines can come from soil or the plant itself. ► The species Klebsiella oxytoca may be associated with the Portuguese region.