Genus Criconemella

Ring Nematode

Most important species: C.xenoplax and C.ornata

• wide host range and distribution (turf, peanut, peach, walnut, grapes)
• coarsely striated cuticle atypical movement; crawling rather than sinusoidal
• sedentary ectoparasite - feeds anywhere along root for long periods
• long stylet inserted into subcortical and cortical tissue with little disturbance
• slight feeding cell modifications (callose deposition, increased # of ribosomes, cytoplasmic reticulum, and plasmodesmata)
• feed from one cell up to 5 days!!!
• considered a weak ectoparasite, causing little damage unless in present in very high numbers

http://ucdnema.ucdavis.edu/imagemap/nemmap/ent156html/nemas/criconemellaxenoplax