Objective – research the pine wood nematodes Bursaphelenchus sp. situation in Lithuania. Goals: 1. Research of native pine wood nematode species composition in Lithuania; 2. Research of preconditions for harmful pine wood nematode species to enter Lithuania; 3. Research of conditions for non-native pine wood nematode species to establish, breed and spread; 4. Research of consequences if harmful species becomes established in Lithuania, anticipate pest management options. Object of the study – coniferous (pine) forests in Lithuania and companies, processing imported wood. Methods. Samples were taken in coniferous clearcuts and wood processing companies from the stained wood or wood with evidence of Monochamus activities. Nematodes were extracted sing Baermann method. Preconditions for nematodes to enter Lithuania, establish and spread were analysed using statistical and literature sources. Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats (SWOT) analysis was applied to the situation of Bursaphelenchus in Lithuania. Results. 27 forest enterprises and 62 wood processing companies were studied. For the first time in Lithuania non-pathogenic species Bursaphelenchus mucronatus was found. Assessement of conditions for wood nematodes in the country (import assortment and volume, countries, host plants and potential vectors), real probability for harmful species, particularly Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, to enter, establish and spread was defined. Existing quarantine system might... [to full text]