Collect nematodes as a Citizen Scientist!

The Caenorhabditis research community is looking for new wild strains from throughout the world! If you would like to help us, please feel free to contact us.

We will send you everything you need to isolate your own nematodes. After you mail the samples back to us, we will tell you (as much as we can) about what species you found.







The procedure is very easy
  1. Collect rotting vegetation: fruits, tubers, seeds, flowers, bark, nuts, etc.
  2. Put the samples on the provided agar plates.
  3. Wait a couple of days.
  4. Wrap up the plates with provided parafilm.
  5. Mail them back to me at my expense.
A more detailed set of instructions is available in our Collecting Nematodes from the Wild Protocol.



APHIS Permits
Erik Collecting Nematodes
Erik collecting in St. Lucia.
Lab Collecting Nematodes
Lab collecting during summer retreat.
Sample Plates
Samples from NJ plated and ready for nematode isolation.