Pratylenchus agilis


(Thorne and Malek, 1968 description) L = 0.5 mm; V = 76


Lateral field marked by 4 incisures. Lip region with two annules, sometimes very indistinct. Cephalic framework massive. Spear 16u-18u long with strong knobs slightly cupped. Vulva elevated. Vulva-anus distance about 3 times tail length. Tail uniformly tapering to rounded terminus.
Pratylenchus agilis is most closely related to P. scribneri from which it differs in coarser striae, hemispheroid spear knobs and uniformly tapering tail. Its chief characteristic is the habit of throwing itself into a coil and moving violently when touched, entirely unlike the torpid actions of other members of the genus.