[4] Throughout the hot tropics and Western Africa, H. sacchari is referred as one of the most economically important cyst nematode species.

[5][6] This species is found in tropical climates and is considered a pest in African and some Asian countries.

Males are rare, but when found have annules 2.5 μm in the middle of the body with three faint longitudinal lines in the lateral field.

Heterodera sacchari is morphologically similar to H. elachista, H. oryzae, and H. oryzicola and can be distinguished using features and biochemical characteristics.

[9] Heterdera sacchari are mitotic parthenogenesis, meaning males are not required for reproduction and most nematodes will develop into females.

Once inside the root, J2s establish a specialized feeding site called a syncytium in the stele.

[citation needed] Males of H. sacchari are rarely found, but return to vermiform (worm shape) and exit the root.

Major host crop infected by this nematode include sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) and rice (Oryza sativa).