Nematode Tutorial


Nematodes, in general, are elongate, cylindrical worms belonging to the phylum Nemata (or Nematoda). Most are microscopic in size and, as a phylum, occupy many ecological niches. There are both beneficial and harmful nematodes. The harmful nematodes are those that parasitize plants and animals, including man. Beneficial nematodes are those that play a role in the decay of organic matter, and those that man can use to control pests. One member of the latter group is Steinernema scapterisci Nguyen & Smart (STEIN-er-NEM-a scap-te-RISK-ee). Although the nematode does not have an official common name, it is generally called the mole cricket nematode. The use of this nematode is currently licensed by the University of Florida to MicroBio which markets it in a formulation called NematacTM S.

The mole cricket nematode is a native of South America, where it is instrumental in keeping populations of mole crickets in the genus Scapteriscus under control.

There are 18 blocks of instruction in this tutorial.

Begin Tutorial


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