Globodera pallida (Stone, 1973) Behrens, 1975

Nematodes puncture the cell walls of plant roots with (sometimes large) hollow needle-like stylets in their mouths and suck out plant nutrients. The stylets vary in shape. Enzymes, (e.g. cellulase and chitinase) are injected through the stylets of some plant parasitic species to help break down cell walls.

Head of Globodera pallida with an extendable stylet used to penetrate roots of host plant species, such as potatoes (Solanum tuberosum). Note the anchor shaped knobs at the base of the stylet with muscles extending forward to the head. When these muscles contract, the stylet moves forward.

More pictures of Globodera pallida (second-stage juveniles):

Globodera pallida: second-stage juvenile body
Globodera pallida: second-stage juvenile body

Globodera pallida: anterior body part with stylet and part of the pharynx
Globodera pallida: anterior body part with stylet and part of the pharynx

Globodera pallida: stylet knobs projecting forward
Globodera pallida: stylet knobs projecting forward
Globodera pallida: stylet knobs projecting forward
Globodera pallida: stylet knobs projecting forward
Globodera pallida: posterior part of the pharynx with pharyngeal glands overlapping the intestine
Globodera pallida: posterior part of the pharynx with pharyngeal glands overlapping the intestine
Globodera pallida: posterior part of the pharynx with the nerve ring partially visible
Globodera pallida: posterior part of the pharynx with the nerve ring partially visible
Globodera pallida: genital primordium
Globodera pallida: genital primordium
Globodera pallida: genital primordium
Globodera pallida: genital primordium
Globodera pallida: tail region with anal opening and hyaline tail part
Globodera pallida: tail region with anal opening and hyaline tail part

(Click on the pictures for an enlargement, © Wageningen University & Research, Laboratory of Nematology/Pictures: Hanny van Megen)