New Nematode Species Found
UC Riverside scientists have discovered a new nematode species that infects and kills insects. This worm may be able to control crop pests in areas which are hot and wet, where other species cannot thrive.
This newly identified nematode is in the family of nematodes called Steinernema. Other species in this family have been used in agricultural insect pests without pesticides for decades. Steinernema are harmless to any mammals. They were first discovered in the 1920s.
Trillions of these small worms are sprayed on crops every year. There are more than 100 species but scientists are always looking for more, as each species has unique adaptability and can attack different insect pests.
