
Community identification
Pinworm
Enterobius vermicularis
- Order & Family
- Order: Oxyurida, Family: Oxyuridae
- Size
- Adult females are approximately 8-13 mm long; males are smaller, about 2-5 mm.
Natural Habitat
The primarily habitat is the human gastrointestinal tract, specifically the large intestine and rectum.
Diet & Feeding
They feed on intestinal contents and mucosal secretions within the human host.
Behavior Patterns
Female worms migrate out of the anus at night to deposit thousands of eggs on the surrounding skin, which often causes intense itching (pruritus ani). Infection occurs via the fecal-oral route.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include intense itching, disturbed sleep, and irritability. While generally not dangerous, heavy infestations can lead to secondary skin infections from scratching. They provide no known benefits to the host.