They are found in all parts of the world. Free-living forms occur in salt water, fresh water, and damp soil. Parasitic forms are found in the roots of many plant species; the potato-root eelworm, Heterodera rostochiensis, for example, is a serious pest of potatoes. Some species occur in both animals and plants.

What is eelworm mean?

: a nematode worm especially : any of various small free-living or plant-parasitic roundworms.

What does an eelworm look like?

A Also known as nematodes, eelworms are very small, threadlike organisms, 1-2mm long. They are barely visible to the naked eye, but appear eel-like under a microscope. ... Some soil-dwelling eelworms do little direct damage, but act as vectors to spread virus diseases from plant to plant.