Abstract Bursaphelenchus xylophilus is the main causal agent of the pine wilt disease and a worldwide pest with high economic impact. As a serious invasive and destructive species, it is listed as a quarantine pest in the legislation of more than 40 countries. B. xylophilus was reported for the first time in Europe in Portugal in 1999 and in 2008 the whole country has been considered an affected area. In 2008, presence of B. xylophilus was confirmed in Spain. This paper reports on the biology, introduction, spread and the control of B. xylophilus as potential risk element in European coniferous forests.