IDplease: worm-type thing

[LindaB]

Could someone please have a go at telling me what these are.

I found 2 on a plant and 1 on a long piece of grass this morning in our garden.

Like long thin worm things - definitately not flat, but I dont like the look of these at all but perhaps thats just me lol. Need to know if these are 'safe' in the garden.
Thanks.

Linda

[nightshade]

It looks like a Horsehair worm but again I cannot help further,just some other moss gathered in life

[NickCantle]

They look interesting whatever they are. Fascinating indeed.

[LindaB]

Hi and thanks for that.

I have just looked it up and its feasible. As it rained last night that may well be why I have seen them this morning, so at least it gives me a lead.

Thanks again - maybe someone else has an idea if its not one of these.

Linda

[Tiggrx]

Yes, a Horsehair Worm, also known as a Rainworm or Thunderworm as they often come out to lay their eggs on vegetation in stormy weather

[mrs fish]

Horsehair Worm, how fascinating

[LindaB]

Originally Posted by Tiggrx

Yes, a Horsehair Worm, also known as a Rainworm or Thunderworm as they often come out to lay their eggs on vegetation in stormy weather

Hi there - sorry I didnt get back sooner, but thanks so much for your confirmation of it.

Can you tell me more about it please, especially as you say it comes out during wet weather to lay its eggs on vegetation - why is that? I can understand it emerging from the insect during wet weather because of the need to get back to water, but, from what I read about them, (unless I misunderstood) they infect insects that go to water to drink and then grow in that insect until its ready to go back to water and the insect has an urge to jump into, say, a pond, and then the worm emerges from that insect.

I was also shown a link to some information on UTube on a video with some research into it which was interesting (but disgusting at the same time lol) - this also showed the insect jumping into water.

Really would be interested to hear any more you know about them.

Thanks.

Linda

[Kayleigh]

Oh no! this is horrible These things are grose..

[Paul mabbott]

We've also got this on another thread where I had suggested Nematoda, knowing, however, that these seldom, if ever, grow to this sort of size. Has forgotten the Nematomorpha (nematode-shaped!); however, I thought that these were purely aquatic or parasitic - hadn't realised they came out onto land. All fascinating stuff!

[LindaB]

As you say Paul, quite fascinating, so you might also be interested in this video on UTube.

I am assuming we are allowed to post links on here - I do hope so because this is particularly interesting - which you and others might (or might not lol) like to listen to and watch - dont look if you are squeemish. Its a good learning source about something which very little is known

YouTube - Nematomorph worm

Should the link be deleted or whatever, you can PM me and I will let you have the link.

I would still like further information though as to why these are out of the water environment, how long can they survive out of water, etc.

Another guy in the UK also found one (dont know when) and photographed it and his was much longer than mine

Linda