Saw something in my garden this AM that I had never seen before. It was a string-like thing about 5" long and the diameter of a piece of sewing thread. It was on top of the soil and moved in a worm like fashion. It lifted up about 1 1/2" of what I guess was it's head end and seemed to be looking around. Climbed up one of my daylily leaves then climbed back down. It has rained heavily the night before I saw it. Anyone know what it is?
Thanks!
Susan
Is This String Like Thing a Foe?
Susan, I think that is a pinworm/threadworm. http://www.handbag.com/family/health/threadworms/
Please don't go barefoot or dig in the garden without gloves, if this is your pest!
Oh the other hand, this may be horsehair worms. See attached and scroll down until you see the article on Horsehair worms. http://www.ppdl.purdue.edu/ppdl/DGP/DGP167.pdf
Thanks! I think you hit the nail on the head with the horsehair worms. Sounds just like it. Says it had no decernable head or tail which was one thing I noticed. The pinworms it said were only 1 cm long, so I don't think they are long enough. Very strange little thing.
Here's another link to a photo that sure looks like mine. Guess they get darker as they get older and can get 3 ft long or so. Ugg...ly, but harmless it sounds like
http://www.eeob.iastate.edu/faculty/DrewesC/htdocs/horsehair-worm.jpg
Susan
This message was edited Jun 3, 2005 1:40 PM
Harmful, no......creepy, YES!
This message was edited Jun 3, 2005 2:57 PM
It was creepy. Like an enchanted piece of string. I won't be going barefooted in that area for awhile! I'd just as soon not meet up with one of the 3 foot guys.
Susan
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!
Loved the photo! Lucky me! I've never seen one of those around here.
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