Horsehair worm
Scientific Name: Gordius sp. (various species)
Order & Family: Order Gordiida, Family Gordiidae
Size: 4 to 14 inches long and approximately 1/25th of an inch wide.
Natural Habitat
Damp soil or freshwater environments like puddles, troughs, and streams.
Diet & Feeding
They do not eat as adults; larvae are internal parasites of insects like crickets or grasshoppers.
Behavior Patterns
Adults emerge from their insect host when near water. They are known for knotting themselves into "Gordian knots."
Risks & Benefits
Harmless to humans, pets, and plants; they help control populations of nuisance insects like crickets.
Identified on: 4/28/2026