Sting Nematodes: A Growing Problem for Young Trees

Abstract

Successive hard freezes in Florida in the late 1980s resulted in widespread replanting of citrus groves. Within a few years, many groves on the Central Ridge had discrete patches of poorly growing, chlorotic young trees amid patches of vigorously growing trees. Stubby root symptoms on the declining trees suggested damage by sting nematodes (Belonolaimus longicaudatus).

This nematode was confirmed to be the cause of the problem when it was found that large numbers of the pest were associated with the poorly growing trees with few fibrous roots. Few or no sting nematodes were recovered from soil beneath adjacent healthy trees with dense root systems.