An introduction to the ecology and taxonomy of the diverse and abundant (yet little considered) soil-dwelling nematode. Richard W. Small illuminates the importance and intrigue of the species whilst lamenting a historic lack of interest shown by naturalists and taxonomists.
Most British Wildlife readers’ interaction with nematodes is likely to be limited to treating pets against ‘worms’, although some may use commercially available entomopathogenic (causing disease in invertebrates) species for the control of slugs or garden insects, such as Vine Weevil Otiorhynchus sulcatus.