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Was Re: snails -Question, is this a slug or a nematode?

Forwarding note from: heverlyj@ccnet.com@mail.ccnet.com Wed, 21 May 1997 21:58:55 -0800

Jerry Heverly, Oakland, CA
wrote:-
>Another researcher has successfully used predaceous
>nematodes(*Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita*).  He had to dig them into the
>soil a little bit to prevent them from drying out but with that provision
>they worked well.  I don't have my catalogues at hand but I *think* that
>species in available by mail order from some of the companies that sell
>predaceous insects and such.  Unfortunately if you've ever tried to use
>predaceous nematodes to control pests(the most common one is used on peach
>tree borer) you know that they cost a bundle.  I'd guess that they'd cost 5
>to 10 times as much per square foot as metaldehyde.

My question is:
I am wondering what these predaceous nematodes look like.
I have been trying for a year to identify a new creature in my garden, and 
I don't know if it is a slug, nematode, or what!
It is from 1/2 to 1 inch long, very black, skinny  -hard to tell which is
the beginning and end, one end is pointed and the other end is flat...
I find it on slugs, and also mostly decaying vegetation. 
I have searched books in several libraries, and feel very frustrated that
either there aren't that many good ones (with pictures) on slugs, worms, 
nematodes, etc
or I am just not finding them!
any info on this would be greatly appreciated.
BTW, I also wonder if this was introduced into my garden from some horse
manure I added to my compost....
thanks, Maura
P.S.
-I have been out of commission for 3 months due to a neck injury, and am 
enjoying catching up on medit plants notes (about 600 of them!)


Maura O'Neill, Boulder Creek, CA
Sunset zone 15
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