Although this spiral nematode is usually an ectoparasite, it may penetrate half a body length into roots of woody perennials. 

It has been shown to damage 'Thompson Seedless' grapevines under greenhouse conditions (Pinochet et al., 1976). Such damage may occur in newly replanted vineyards on silty soils or those with a history of grasses. 

Long-term damage effects by this nematode are not documented, but if high field population levels can be extracted from a soil-less root sample, this nematode should be further investigated as the source of the problem.