Hairworms, also known as Gordian worms or horsehair worms, are a group of parasitic worms belonging to the phylum Nematomorpha, which are superficially similar to nematode worms
. They are known for their long, thin, and hair-like bodies, and they develop as parasites in the bodies of insects such as grasshoppers, crickets, cockroaches, and some beetles
. When mature, they leave the host to lay eggs
. Some key features of hairworms include:
- Size : Hairworms can range in size from 50 to 2 meters (2.0 to 7.9 inches) in length
- Habitat : They can be found in damp areas such as watering troughs, swimming pools, streams, puddles, and cisterns
- Life Cycle : Adult hairworms are free-living in aquatic freshwater or marine environments, while their larvae are parasitic on arthropods
. Eggs are laid in sticky strings underwater or on nearby vegetation, and when the eggs hatch, the larvae can encyst to survive until they are ingested by a suitable host
- Behavior : Some species of hairworms are known for their ability to alter the behavior of their hosts, causing them to drown themselves to complete their life cycle
Horsehair worms are not a threat to humans, livestock, or pets, and they do not pose any public health risk
