The bud and leaf nematode, Aphelenchoides subtenuis, infecting corms and pseudostems of gladiolus in Iran, is characterised morphologically and morphometrically using a light microscope and SEM. Its relationship with similar species is discussed. The species is characterised by a sub-cylindrical female tail with hemispherical terminus bearing a single, ventrally located, mucron, well-developed postuterine sac (115 μm long) extending for ca 65% of the vulva/anus distance, presence of three lines in the lateral field, and the conoid male tail with an inconspicuous mucron. This study extends the intraspecific variability of A. subtenuis. Peer reviewed