In the United States H. galeatus has been reported along the east coast, along the Mississippi river, Colorado and Southern California.

Males are smaller than the female, have an arcuate spicules, gubernaculum with titillate and a broad striated bursa.

While it is most important on turfgrass, it is known to infect; alfalfa, apple, beans, bananas, cabbage, chrysanthemums, clover, corn, cotton, oak, peanuts, peas, pine, sweet potatoes, sycamore, and wheat.

[2][3] H. galeatus is a migratory endoparasitic nematode but can also be found feeding semi-endoparasitically.

Some of these practices include; adequate watering, limiting activity on the turf, making certain the soil is aerated, applying fertilizers and avoidance of shaded areas when planting.