A press release from the University of Illinois Extension website reports that "Researchers at the Energy Biosciences Institute (EBI) at the University of Illinois (United States) have discovered widespread occurrence of plant-parasitic nematodes in the first reported nematode survey of Miscanthus and switchgrass plants used for biofuels". Miscanthus and switchgrass are considered promising "second-generation (lignocellulosic) feedstocks" (in the grass category) for biofuel ethanol production. The nematode survey was conducted between 2008 and 2009 from Miscanthus and switchgrass plots in Illinois, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, South Dakota and Tennessee. The survey team led by post-doctoral research associate, Tesfamariam Mekete, found two nematode species that have been reported to reduce biomass in most monocotyledon hosts. Although the "damaging thresholds" in the target grasses are still unknown, the population densities of these nematodes (when compared to other monocotyledon hosts) may present a potential risk to biofuels production. According to Mekete, "The high levels of nematodes found in our survey and the damage symptoms observed in infected roots suggest that parasitism may contribute to the decline of biomass production". Damage thresholds of lesion, root-knot and needle nematodes to Miscanthus and switchgrass under greenhouse conditions, are now being studied by the researchers. "Future studies will include host suitability and population dynamics of the most prevalent nematodes associated with these perennial grasses"..