15 UNRAVELING THE SECRET LIFE OF THE STING NEMATODE

							   Proceedings of the UCR Turfgrass and Landscape Management Research Conference and Field Day, September 1998



                 UNRAVELING THE SECRET LIFE OF THE STING NEMATODE

                                               J. Ole Becker
                 Dept. of Nematology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521-0124


The sting nematode, Belonolaimus spp., is one of the most destructive agricultural nematode pests
in the Southeastern United States. A large number of plants including most agricultural crops, turf
and forage grasses are hosts. In 1994, B. longicaudatus was found to be associated with dying
turfgrass in several different Coachella Valley golf course sites and in a couple of private home
lawns near one of the golf courses. The sting nematode constitutes a very serious threat not only to
the golf courses but to major agricultural industries in the Coachella Valley and elsewhere in South-
ern California. Although the sting nematode has been known for 50 years, details of its biology, life
cycle and host-parasite interactions have remained unknown until recently. Current management
options for sting nematodes in California turf are limited by the lack of resistant turfgrasses or effec-
tive biocontrol organisms and the restriction of nematicide use. Development of new methods of
control necessitates a better understanding of the host-parasite relationship and the influence of en-
vironmental conditions on behavior and population dynamics of this pest. We developed an in vitro
culture method which allows us to observe the normally hidden nematode under laboratory condi-
tions and to describe its life cycle and behavior. The studies were conducted at the UC Riverside
Nematology Quarantine Facilities which is recognized by CDFA and USDA as the only place in the
state where research on exotic nematodes can be safely conducted. All critical events in the life cy-
cle of the sting nematode, i.e. host search, feeding, molting, mating, egg-laying, hatching, were
timed and documented by photography. These results will facilitate field population studies to opti-
mize control decisions such as timing of pesticide applications. In addition, a thorough understand-
ing of the life cycle will promote the development of novel nematode management strategies.




                                                      15