Globodera rostochiensis is similar in appearance, but the female is yellow in color for part of its life.

The microscopic cysts are tough and can survive in soil particles, which are transported around the world on objects such as farming equipment and in flowing water.

Farming equipment is cleaned, soil is tested for nematodes, contaminated soil is kept out of fields, and resistant cultivars of crops are alternated with susceptible varieties to reduce the possibility that a more virulent nematode will arise through selection.

[2] The nematode is found nearly worldwide today, but it has been mostly kept out of the United States due to rigid quarantines.

[2] Upon discovery of this outbreak, Japan banned potato imports from the United States for several years.