Abstract
Molting of the larva before and after hatching of a parthenogenetic population of the reniform nematode, Rotylenchulus reniformis was studied by using a technique of a hanging drop of deionized water or root diffusate of sweet potato. The larva molted once before hatching and used its stylet to make a small tear in the egg shell, through which it emerged. It also underwent three molts after hatching without feeding. Observations on changes in body size of molting larva revealed that body contractions were associated with the molting processes and facilitated shedding of the old cuticle from the body. Differences in molting between the reniform nematode and other nematode species were discussed.
