Foliar or bud nematodes are little-known nematodes that caused “crimp disease” in Florida strawberries in the early 1900s. Recently, these foliar nematodes have been observed again in the state, and seem to have come in with transplants from outside Florida. Foliar/bud nematodes can devastate a crop of strawberries. Plants become stunted with curled up leaves, and produce few or no flowers or fruits. This 7-page fact sheet written by J. Desaeger and J. Noling and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Entomology and Nematology provides much-needed information on these little-understood pests, summarizing the different types of foliar nematodes, their biology, life cycle, damage symptoms, survival strategies, dissemination, and management options.
edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1184