Microscopic worms burrowing through cells, injecting foreign compounds through hypodermic-needle-like mouthparts, altering the basic biology of the cells on which they feed.

Shape-shifting worms that grow so large they burst out of the tissues within which they reside.

Sound like the plot for a science fiction movie?

Believe it or not, this is the basic biology of a widespread, serious parasite of soybean - the soybean cyst nematode.