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Horsehair Worm
(Gordiacea) (Gordian worms)
Real Name: Nematomorpha
Horsehair worm found in lake Kabekona, Minnesota "It looks like a piece of string or some thin plant , but it is alive and swims through the water."
Horsehair worms resemble the hair from a horses main and are harmless to humans, animals and plant life.
This parasite needs a host such as crickets, millipedes, water beetles, mantids, carabid beetles, or dragonflies. An infected host becomes thirsty and goes to get a drink. While drinking the worm emerges from the insects body and the host often dies. The worm's color is first yellow/tan in color, and turns brown/black after a period of time. The worm will often twist itself into a ball type knot.
Average size: 4 to 14 inches long, and 1/25 to 1/16 inch (1 to 3 millimeters) in diameter
Found in streams and other still waters such as puddles, bird baths, toilets, pet dishes, sinks, domestic water supplies etc...
Insects & Other Bugs
Unknown Insects & Other Bugs
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