The life of the microscopic larvae is not completely understood. Depending on water temperature, the eggs hatch in 2 weeks to 3 months. Life CycleĪdults mate in water and females lay long gelatinous strings of eggs. They are not parasites of humans, livestock, or pets and pose no public health threat. When mature, they leave the host to lay eggs. Horsehair worms develop as parasites in the bodies of grasshoppers, crickets, cockroaches, and some beetles. These harmless, curious creatures writhe slowly, contorting their hair-like bodies into intricate knots. They are found in water or wet areas, such as in or alongside streams or puddles but they can occur in cisterns, livestock watering troughs or most open outdoor container with water. They are similar to nematodes but much longer (4 inches or longer) and very thin (1/80 to 1/10 inch diameter). Horsehair worms, also known as Gordian worms, belong to the group Nematomorpha. University of Kentucky College of Agriculture If we're going to make sure that a horrifying epidemic of mind-controlling worms doesn't take over humanity, we're going to have to get to know our enemy a little better.ENTFACT-613: Horsehair Worms | Download PDF by Lee Townsend, Extension Entomologist Studies documenting the risk of horsehair worms infecting humans have been published recently and the results are more than a little disconcerting.

Parasitic horsehair worms primarily target invertebrates like insects but scientists believe that the worms are increasingly becoming a concern for humans as well.

Highly invasive, these creatures can take over a host's bodily functions, even going as far as rewiring their victims' brains. Many horsehair worms can even grow to be as heavy as the hosts they inhabit. Here you can meet members of the phylum Nematomorpha, creepy worm parasites that leave their victims scarred both physically and emotionally. Also known as horsehair worms, these disgusting pa rasitoid animals can be found in nearly every corner of the globe terrorizing their hosts and sucking the life right out of them.

If you haven't been traumatized today, then you've come to the right place.

Download horsehair worm in human hair