Stem gall nematode travels across the Pond

The stem gall nematode, Anguina pacificae, is a devastating pest of Poa annua. Luckily, its range has been very restricted to the Central Coast of California. That is, until now. A recent article, titled "A first report of Anguina pacificae in Ireland" was recently published by a team of Irish, British and American nematologists.

The nematode, which is unusual because it attacks the stem, rather than the roots of affected plants, creates small, bulbous galls at the base of poa…