From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Western NY

Looks like some kind of horsehair worms. More abundant and thicker than the ones I've seen here.

3/17/2025 8:13:59 AM

Bethlehem CT

I tried to look those up, are they potworms?

3/17/2025 9:05:13 AM

Bethlehem CT

That looks right Andy!

3/17/2025 9:06:53 AM

Bethlehem CT

https://www.science.org/content/article/parasitic-horsehair-worms-may-manipulate-their-hosts-using-borrowed-genes

3/17/2025 9:59:22 AM

Grittyville, WA

Good suggestion. Thanks.
I like learning but this gets into the things I wish I didnt have to know!

They are 2-4" long or so. They seem to be more cold and water (drowning) hardy than earthworms. I could see an insect being part of their lifecycle, or maybe they just persist in manured areas. Hungry birds this time of year, but I have not yet seen any birds fishing these out of the shallow rain puddles. Birds probably try to avoid worms that could be parasitic. This part I understand!

3/17/2025 11:47:01 AM