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<i>Bursaphelenchus xylophilus</i> is fatal to the pine trees around the world. The production of the pine tree secondary metabolite gradually increases in response to a <i>B. xylophilus</i> infestation, via a stress reaction mechanism(s). &#945;-pinene is needed to combat the early stages of <i>B. xylophilus</i> infection and colonization, and to counter its pathogenesis. Therefore, research is needed to characterize the underlying molecular response(s) of <i>B. xylophilus</i> to resist &#945;-pinene. We examined the effects of different concentrations of &#945;-pinene on the mortality and reproduction rate of <i>B. xylophilus</i> in vitro. The molecular response by which <i>B. xylophilus</i> resists &#945;-pinene was examined via comparative transcriptomics of the nematode. Notably, <i>B. xylophilus</i> genes involved in detoxification, transport, and receptor activities were differentially expressed in response to two different concentrations of &#945;-pinene compared with control. Our results contribute to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which <i>B. xylophilus</i> responds to monoterpenes in general, and the pathogenesis of <i>B. xylophilus</i>.