Community identification
Horsehair worm
Nematomorpha (various species)
- Order & Family
- Order: Gordioidea; Family: Varies by genus (e.g., Gordiidae)
- Size
- Typically 5 to 10 centimeters long, though can occasionally reach up to 1 meter in length, and remain very thin.
Natural Habitat
Found in aquatic environments, wet soil, or damp areas after emerging from a host.
Diet & Feeding
Adults do not feed; larvae are internal parasites that absorb nutrients from the body fluids of hosts.
Behavior Patterns
Larvae parasitize arthropods like crickets and beetles, often manipulating the host's behavior to seek water; adults are free-living and emerge into water solely to mate and lay eggs.
Risks & Benefits
Harmless to humans, pets, and livestock. They provide ecological benefits by helping to control insect populations.