A timely detection of forest pests and pathogens is essential to prevent widespread outbreaks; however, traditional diagnostic approaches - e.g., morphological identification and molecular confirmation - are often slower, labor-intensive, and dependent on specialized expertise. In the case of the quarantine phytoparasite Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (pinewood nematode, PWN), the causal agent of pine wilt disease, definitive identification can take up to 15 days. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have recently emerged as promising biomarkers for an early diagnosis of plant diseases. Thermal desorption coupled to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (TD-GC/MS) allows for sensitive and non-destructive profiling of emitted volatiles, while emerging sensor-based tools - including electronic noses (e-noses) and portable VOC detectors - offer promising avenues for field-based monitoring. Beyond enabling earlier detection, VOC profiling can also provide insights into host–pathogen interactions, supporting the development of more effective integrated pest management strategies. In this study, we characterized VOC emissions from in vitro monoxenic cultures of the PWN feeding on fungal mats of Botrytis cinerea, with the aim of identifying nematode-specific volatile signatures. Using TD-GC/MS, several compounds were associated with PWN population growth. Among these, 2-methyl-4-heptanone and 2-methyl-4-heptanol were the major emitted VOCs and were proposed to function as aggregation pheromones. Overall, this preliminary study highlights the potential of VOC-based biomarkers as a rapid, reliable, and scalable approach for monitoring pinewood nematode infections, contributing to more sustainable forest protection practices.