A technique based on the use of specific primers for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was developed for the identification of the stem and bulb nematode belonging to the Ditylenchus dipsaci species complex. The internal transcribed spacer re-ion ITS1 and ITS2, the genes 5.8 S and part of genes 18 S and 26 S of twenty populations of the D. dipsaci species complex belonging to both D. dipsaci sensu stricto and Ditylenchus sp. B (corresponding to populations of giant individuals associated to Vicia faba) and three congeneric species were amplified with two universal ribosomal primers. PCR-amplified DNA samples were digested with five restriction enzymes in order to reveal some polymorphism allowing the identification of D. dipsaci populations associated with Fabaceae seeds. The polymorphism among species was confirmed by the sequencing of the PCR products. A primer (DdpS2) was designed in a region conserved in all populations of both D. dipsaci sensu stricto and D. sp. B studied in the present work. The other Anguinidae species (except a few species from Central Asia associated to Astereaceae and D. sp. G associated to Plantago maritima) differ in two to four nucleotides at the 3' extremity of this region. This sequence portion coincides with a TspEI restriction site. In combination with a primer located in the ribosomal region, this first primer is a good candidate for identification by PCR of populations of the D. dipsaci species complex found in Fabaceae seeds. A second primer (DdpS1) was designed in a similar way and was specific to D. dipsaci sensu stricto. The utility of these two sets of primers is discussed against the background of quarantine regulation