Parasitic habits of Gracilacus peratica on olive feeder roots

Abstract

Gracilacus peratica Raski was originally described from material collected on grape (Vitis vinifera L.) soil in Germany (Raski, 1962). This species, though also reported in Italy in association with olive (Olea europaea L.), grape, and laurel (Laurus nobilis L.) (Scognamiglio et al., 1968; Inserra et al., 1976; Raski, 1976), is not well known and no information is available on its parasitic and biological behavior. In this note we discuss histological changes caused by the feeding of this nematode on olive feeder roots.