Threadworm (Human or animal depending on species)
Scientific Name: Strongyloides stercoralis (a common human threadworm species as an example, but there are many species)
Order & Family: Order: Rhabditida, Family: Strongyloididae
Size: Adult female threadworms (Strongyloides stercoralis) are typically 2-2.5 mm long and about 0.05 mm wide. Larval stages are microscopic, ranging from approximately 0.2 mm to 0.6 mm.
Natural Habitat
The primary habitat for adult threadworms is the small intestine of their host. Larval stages can be found in the soil, water, or intermediate hosts depending on the species and its life cycle.
Diet & Feeding
Threadworms are parasites that feed on nutrients within the intestines or tissues of their host. The specific diet depends on the host and the species of threadworm.
Behavior Patterns
Threadworms move by undulating their bodies. They are endoparasites, meaning they live inside a host. They have a direct life cycle, with eggs being shed in the feces of the host, which then hatch into larvae in the environment. These larvae can then infect a new host either by being ingested or by penetrating the skin.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Threadworms can cause various health issues in hosts, including abdominal pain, diarrhea, malabsorption, and anemia. In severe cases or immunocompromised individuals, they can cause hyperinfection syndrome, which can be life-threatening. Benefits: There are no known benefits of threadworms to humans or the ecosystem; they are considered parasites.
Identified on: 9/2/2025