Genus Helicotylenchus

Spiral Nematodes

Most important species: H. dihystera and H. multicinctus

Their common name comes from the shape of their body after death, a spiral.

• most cosmopolitan nematode in the US (ubiquitous distribution)
• achieve high numbers in soil, but rarely cause extensive damage
• climatic range is temperate to tropical
• main crop host is banana
• average life cycle is 30-45 days
• males are rare suggesting parthenogenesis
• typically feed on only a few cell around head 4-6 cell layers deep into cortex

H. multicinctus causes serious damage on bannana roots and corms in the tropics.

Morphological species comparisons.