File:  <stingnematode >                                                                       Pooled References                                GENERAL INDEX                        [Navigate to   MAIN MENU ]

 

 

Sting Nematode

 

Belonolaimus longicaudatus Rau -- Tylenchida:  Belonolamidae

 

Contact

 

 

 

            ------ CLICK on photo to enlarge.  To search for Subject Matter, Depress Ctrl/F

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

       The Sting nematode is an important pathogen on most agricultural and horticultural crops, including turf, citrus and grapes.  This ectoparasite is native to sandy soils in the southeastern and Midwestern United States.  In 1992, University of California  nematologists discovered that several golf courses in the Coachella Valley were heavily infested with sting nematodes.  The warm climate, irrigated sandy soils of California inland deserts and the ability of the nematode to feed on a very wide range of hosts offer ideal conditions for rapid multiplication and spread of the invasive pathogen.

 

       Like all plant parasitic nematodes, B. longicaudatus feeds by puncturing plant cells with a mouth stylet and withdrawing cell contents.  It does not enter the roots but attacks from the outside, mainly near the root tip.  Feeding can damage the meristematic cells of the plant that then causes stunting of the roots.  Also, feeding wounds are often points of entry for disease-causing microorganisms which otherwise would not be able to enter healthy plant tissues.  These secondary infections increase the stress on the plants and can accelerate cell and root death.  Above-ground disease symptoms  generally resemble those associated with plant drought stress and nutritional deficiency such as stunted growth and leaf chlorosis followed by die back and death.

 

       The sting nematode is considered one of the most damaging of all plant parasitic nematodes.  Yield and quality reductions in many agricultural crops can be so severe that it may result in a complete loss.  Spread of this nematode in California would  have disastrous impact on the turf and agricultural industries with additional negative effects on the tourism and recreation.

 

       Surveys by the state, county and university revealed the presence of the sting nematode in several golf courses and home lawns.  All infestation sites thus far were in the Rancho Mirage area.  In order to limit the potential spread of B. longicaudatus, all known infested sites are subject to state and county enforced compliance agreements.  Soil and plant residues from nematode infested areas may not be discarded without approved treatment.

 

 

REFERENCES:

 

Commonwealth Institute of Helminthology.  1974.  Description of plant-parasitic nematodes, Set 3 (40):  1974.

 

Crow, W. T.,  D. W. Dickson, D. P. Weingartner, R.  McSorley  &  G. L.  Miller.  2000.  Yield Reduction and Root Damage to Cotton Induced by Belonolaimus longicaudatus.  Journal of Nematology. June, 32 (2):  205–209.

 

Crow, W. T., D. P. Weingartner, R. McSorley  &  D. W.  Dickson.  2000.  Population dynamics of Belonolaimus longicaudatus in a cotton production system.  Journal of Nematology 32:  210–214.

 

Crow, W. T.  &  H. R. Han.  2005.   Sting nematode.  The Plant Health Instructor, 2005.

 

Duncan, L. W, Noling J. W.,  R. N. Inserra  &  D. Dunn.  1996.  Spatial Patterns of Belonolaimus spp. Among and Within Citrus Orchardson Florida's Central Ridge.  Journal of Nematology, 28 (3):  352–359.

 

Huang, X.  &  J. O. Becker.  1997.  Invitro culture and feeding behavior of Belonolaimus Iongicaudatus on excised Zea mays roots.  Journal of Nematology. 29  (3):  411–415.

 

Huang, X.  & J. O. Becker.  1999.  Lifecycle and mating behavior of Belonolaimus longicaudatus in gnotobiotic culture.  Journal of Nematology 31:  70–74.

 

Luc J. E., W. T. Crow, R. McSorley & R. M. Giblin-Davis.  2010.  Suppression of Belonolaimus longicaudatus with in vitro-produced Pasteuria sp. endospores.  Nematropica. 2010 (40):  217–225.

 

Noling, J. W.  2012.  Nematode management in strawberries.  Entomology & Nematology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida.

 

Perry, V. G. &  H. Rhoades.  1982.  The genus Belonolaimus. pp. 144–149 in R.D. Riggs ed., Nematology in the Southern Region of the United States.  Southern Cooperative Series Bulletin 276. Fayetteville, AR: University of Arkansas Agricultural Publications.

 

Rau, G. J.  1958.  A new species of sting nematode.  Proceedings of the Helminthological Society of Washington. 25:  95–98.

 

Robbins, R. T. & K. R. Barker.  1973.  Comparisons of host range and reproduction among populations of Belonolaimus longicaudatus from North Carolina and Georgia.  The Plant Disease Reporter. 57:  750–754.

 

Robbins, R. T. & K. R. Barker.  1974.  The effects of soil type, particle size, temperature, and moisture on reproduction of Belonolaimus longicaudatus.  Journal of Nematology 6:  1–6.

 

Rosskopf, E. N., D. O. Chellemi, N. Kokalis-Burelle & G. T. Church.  2005.  Alternatives to Methyl bromide: A Florida Perspective.  Plant Health Progress,  American Phytopathological Society, 2005.

 

Steiner, G.  1949.  Plant nematodes the grower should know.  Soil Science Society of Florida, Proceeding. 4-B:  72–117.