Horsehair worm

Natural Habitat

Found in standing or slow-moving water, puddles, and moist soil. They are parasites of insects as juveniles.

Diet & Feeding

In the larval stage, they are internal parasites of arthropods like crickets and beetles. Adults do not eat.

Behavior Patterns

Larvae grow inside a host. When mature, they influence the host's behavior to find water, where the worm emerges to mate. They are known for knotting their bodies into 'Gordian knots'.

Risks & Benefits

They are harmless to humans, pets, and plants. They are beneficial to ecosystems as they help regulate populations of crickets and grasshoppers.

Identified on: 6/23/2026