Bug Identifier
Roundworm
Community identification

Roundworm

Nematoda

Order & Family
Order Rhabditida / Various Families
Size
0.1 to 2.5 mm in length (for most free-living species)
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Found in soil, water, and as parasites inside plants or animals

Diet & Feeding

Bacteria, fungi, other nematodes, or nutrients from host organisms

Behavior Patterns

Movement is characteristically undulating and whip-like; many species have complex life cycles involving eggs and larval stages

Risks & Benefits

Benefits include nutrient cycling in soil; risks include parasitical infection in humans, pets, and crops