Hairworm
Various genera within Nematomorpha, such as Gordius, Paragordius, Spinochordodes
- Order & Family
- Order Nematomorpha, Families Gordiidae or Chordodidae (depending on genus)
- Size
- Typically 10 cm to 50 cm (4 to 20 inches) in length, but can occasionally exceed 1 meter. They are very thin, resembling horsehairs.
Natural Habitat
Adult hairworms are aquatic, found in freshwater environments like ponds, streams, and even damp terrestrial areas after rain. Their hosts are terrestrial arthropods.
Diet & Feeding
As adults, hairworms do not feed. While in their larval stage, they are parasites and absorb nutrients from the hemolymph (blood) of their insect host.
Behavior Patterns
Hairworms are parasites of arthropods. The adult worms are free-living in aquatic environments (freshwater) and can be found in puddles, ditches, streams, and even damp soil. They emerge from their insect hosts when the host is near water, often manipulating the host's behavior to seek water.
Risks & Benefits
Hairworms are not parasitic to humans, animals, or plants, and pose no direct risk to them. While their parasitic nature can be detrimental to their insect hosts, they play a subtle role in natural insect population control. They are generally considered harmless.