Anguina tritici (Steinbuch, 1799)

wheat seed and leaf gall nematode

mainly on cereal crops

Triticum vulgare, normal and galled grain fruits (from Mohamedova & Piperkova)

opened gall, with “wool” consisting of juvenile nematodes

gall

Initially the juveniles live as ectoparasites on all above-ground growing tissues; once the flowers are initiated they start feeding there endoparasitically. The entire plant is malformed and grows badly. Once the plant comes into flower the ovaries develop into small, blackish brown granules of 2-3 mm, containing some 40 adult nematodes and many thousands juvenile offspring. The galls drop to the ground, and the juveniles later infest new seedlings.

host plants

Poaceae, oligophagous

Avena sativa; Hordeum, Secale cereale, Triticum aestivum.

Mostly on wheat; rarely also Dactylis glomerata.

notes

Once a major cereal pest, and still a problem in developing countries.

references

Bongers (1988a), Buhr (1964b, 1965a), Dauphin & Aniotsbehere (1997a), Fleming, Maule, Martin ao (2015a), Houard (1908a), Mohamedova & Piperkova (2013a), Roskam (2009a).