Genus Aphelenchoides

The Foliar Nematode

Important species:

A. fragariae - "Spring Crimp" of strawberry, ferns, begonias (250 hosts)

A. ritzembosi - compositae such as chrysanthemum, strawberry and many others

A. besseyi - warmer climates: "summer crimp" of strawberry and "white tip" disease of rice

• endoparasite of foliar tissue and buds
• serious economic threat to ornamental plant production
• short life cycle (2 weeks), many generations overwinter in infested foliage
• generally do not infest soil
• climbs shoots in film of water and enters through stomates
• common symptom is leaf blotches, infected leaves turn brown then black
• interveinal necrosis can cause extensive defoliation, poor plant growth
• short life cycle (2 weeks) leading to high soil numbers
• overwinter in decomposing leaf tissue
• known to vector Corynebacterium causing "strawberry-cauliflower" disease