[1] The hop cyst nematode occurs in many European countries, the U.S., Canada, South Africa and New Zealand.

The main host plant is the hop, Humulus lupulus, but the nematode can also survive in the roots of the stinging nettle, Urtica dioica.

The largest number occurred in the top fifteen centimetres (5.9 in) of soil but some were found at much greater depths.

In moist soil, the second-stage larvae survived for at least fifty four days and were still capable of invading roots and reproducing.

[3] It is uncertain how long the eggs remain viable in the cysts but in hatching trials using root diffusates of H. lupulus, Cannabis sativa, Urtica dioica, Urtica urens and Ficus sp., only the diffusate of H. lupulus had any effect on the hatching rate of the larvae.