"...if all the matter in the universe except the nematodes were
swept away, our world would still be dimly recognizable...we
would find its mountains, hills, valleys, rivers, lakes, and
oceans represented by a film of nematodes" N.A. Cobb, 1914
Bekal, S. and Becker, J.O. 2000. Population dynamics of the
sting nematode in California turf grass. Plant Disease
84:1081-1084 Turf damage caused by sting nematodes, Belonolaimus
longicaudatus to golf course turf and sting nematode as inset.
Turf damage photo courtesy of Megan Kenelly, B. longicaudatus
image courtesy Tim Todd, Dept. of Plant Pathology, Kansas State
University, Manhattan, KS. Nematodes are the most numerous
multicellular worms found on earth. While most nematodes are not
parasitic, some are parasites of insects, plants or animals and
so can cause disease and important crop losses. Plant pathogenic
nematodes cause mechanical damage by penetrating and moving
through the plant tissues, cellular changes, cell necrosis,
changes in cell growth, and physiolog