What are nematodes?
Nematodes are the most numerous multicellular animals on earth. A handful of soil will contain thousands of the microscopic worms, many of them parasites of insects, plants or animals. Free-living species are abundant, including nematodes that feed on bacteria, fungi, and other nematodes, yet the vast majority of species encountered are poorly understood biologically. There are nearly 20,000 described species classified in the phylum Nemata . Nematodes are structurally simple organisms. Adult nematodes are comprised of approximately 1,000 somatic cells, and potentially hundreds of cells associated with the reproductive system . Nematodes have been characterized as a tube within a tube ; referring to the alimentary canal which extends from the mouth on the anterior end, to the anus located near the tail. Nematodes possess digestive, nervous, excretory, and reproductive systems, but lack a discrete circulatory or respiratory system. In size they range from 0.3 mm to over 8 meters.
Beneficial nematodes are nature’s way of effectively controlling the larvae stage (white grubs) of the Common Chafer, European Chafer, Japanese Beetle, Asiatic Garden Beetle, Black Vine Weevil, Strawberry Root Weevil, plus May & June Beetles. They are a safe and sensible way to reduce white grubs infestations and other pest insects while not harming your grass or beneficial insects. You can find them at your local garden center. If they don’t have them on hand, they can likely order them in. In London Ontario, a package sized to do most household lawns cost $30.
What is it? Nematodes of many different species infect tomato plants. These nematodes are a microscopic worm which live in soil, however, they are not in any way related to the well-known earthworm. Some forms of nematodes are highly beneficial to tomato plants, while others can wreak total destruction on tomato plants in the garden. Tomato plant nematodes are prevalent throughout the United States, but they are most damaging to tomato plants in the Southern regions of the United States.
The name “nematode” comes from the Greek words: nema, which means “thread”, and toid, which means “form”. Nematodes are usually vermiform, long and slender, but some species are swollen. Most people know them as roundworms because their cross-section is round. They range in size from .08mm to 7m. Nematodes are a tube within a tube. The outside tube is the body wall which consisits of muscle layers that are used as a protective covering. The inside tube is the digestive system. The esophagus is the front of the digestive tube. Familiar Nematodes • When a dog “has worms”, those worms are often nematodes • Plant-parasitic nematodes • Ascaris, the first victim of dissection in high school biology • Trichinella in bear meat and pork …
