It takes 3-4 days for S. glaseri to develop from infective juveniles to adults compared to about five days for S. carpocapsae and other species. When in soil, this nematode usually moves in different direction to look for hosts. When a host is found, the infective juveniles of S. glaseri enter the host body through the mouth, spiracles or anus, then, into body cavity where they release bacteria and develop as other steinernematids. Brown-pigmented, but intensity of pigmentation is variable considerably between strains. This bacterium does not adsorb bromothymol blue.
Some strains produce antibiotic factors.
All strains grow at 37 oC while X. nematophilus from S. carpocapsae does not grow at this temperature. At that time, Glaser did not know the bacteria associated with infective juveniles, but his method was suitable for the development of bacteria. The nematodes collected from his culture were applied in 73 field plots in New Jersey for control of Japanese beetle. Developments in the application of the nematodes for the control of subterranean pasture pests. A commercial method of application of entomopathogenic nematodes to pasture for controlling subterranean insect pests.