Heterodera betulae n. sp. (Heteroderidae), a Cyst-forming Nematode from River Birch

A new species of the genus Heterodera A. Schmidt, 1871 parasitic on river birch, Betula nigra L., is described and illustrated. Females and cysts are lemon-shaped to almost spherical with slight vulval protrusion. Female cuticles have a thick subcrystalline layer. The average cyst size is 763 by 616 [mu]. They are circumfenestrate with small anal opening and lack a yellow phase. The cyst wall pattern is typically network-like. All eggs are retained in the cyst, although a well-developed matrix is formed. The egg shell is without markings. The second-stage larvae average 462 [mu] in length and have 3 incisures in the lateral field. The tail terminal is shorter than the stylet. Males are rare. They have 4 incisures in the lateral field and bifid spicules. The relationship of H. betulae n. sp. to other Heterodera species is obscure.