Blogging about Life!

Horsehair worms are basically round worms which are seen as threads, resembling the mane as well as the tail hair of the horse. They can easily grow larger than one foot in length (approximately 0.3 meters). They are never found alone ; instead they remain entwined with each other and seems like a loose ball, resembling the Gordian knot. The scientific name given to them is due to their characteristics of twisting. And, not only by the name Horsehair worm, they are also known as Gordian worms or Cabbage hair worms in few parts of the world. Different from the other worms these are undamaging in nature and do not damage plants neither do they cause harm animals or humans.

They are found mostly in ponds, channels, lakes, etc where where the animals live. These can also be found in water-dishes of pets, swimming –pools, bird-baths and also in side-walk puddles in seasons of heavy rains. In few occasions they can also be found on the damp plants of the garden and in saturated –soil. These worms mate during the spring and early summer months and choose humid and high water filled areas like in water or in dirt (wet). The female Horsehair worm lays more than a million eggs, all which are linked to small thin threads. The egg hatches in a span of 2-3 weeks into minute larvae. One can find two propositions which explain the maturation phenomena of the eggs into the larvae. They appear first to be white in color, afterwards they turn yellowish or into dark chocolate color.

According to the first theory of maturation, the larva links to the plants found near the ponds. When the level of water goes low then the other insects like crickets, grasshoppers, roaches, etc would search for bare and exposed plants to have them as food. The larva would then remove its shells and would inject itself into these insects which come near the plants to take in nutrients. This process continues till they are mature enough. One they grown up completely they leave the body of the host. As per the second theory, the larvae enters the immature insects like mayflies, bugs, dragon flies, etc which feed on the water surface till the host is fully grown . Once these small insects reach the maturity level, then the larvae would appear out from the body of the host. Nonetheless, whichever theory one accepts, the host is forced to die once the worm leaves its body.

Horsehair worms are beneficial in keeping a control on the level of cockroaches, grasshoppers, centipedes, and other kinds of related pests which causes harm to crops and garden plants. If these worms are found in toilets or sinks, swimming pools, etc. then you use chemicals or filters to eradicate them. To avoid the growth and breeding of these worms in animal troughs, it is always advisable to flush and clean them occasionally .

Some believe that the Horsehair worm which are spotted within homes are due to the occurrence of internal parasites. But in reality it is not so. The sole reason why these are found in homes is when the larger insects which act as a host to them are crushed or killed within homes or gardens. One can avoid their coming into homes by using barricades or by sealing the cracks. By doing this you would be able to decrease the entrance of the larger insects which might have the larvae of the horsehair worm inside them. One funny fact or better said a myth is that, when the hair of the horse falls into water, it takes life by some mysterious reasons, which take the form of horsehair worms, and so named the same. Accept this at your own risk!