12/26/2023 0 Comments Download hair worms in humans![]() ![]() The worm then takes control of the host’s mind and effectively turns it into a zombie, drawn to water and its own demise instead of to brains.ĭo not worry: horsehair worms are not harmful to humans, domestic animals, or plants. Just to be clear, we’re talking about a parasitic worm that effectively thieves nutrients over the course of several months until it almost fills the entire body cavity of its victim host. It is difficult to differentiate between infected and non-infected invertebrates. It is usually while or after escaping from their hosts that these worms are discovered. After several months of parasitizing the host, the worm somehow compels the usually aquaphobic invertebrate to cannonball into a water source, where the worm can then emerge as a free-living aquatic adult. The larvae of these worms develop as parasites within the gut of an invertebrate host, usually a beetle, cricket, or mantid. Though they certainly can look like animated hair, the reality of their life cycle is perhaps even more curious than the myth. A common but incorrect misconception is that these worms are horsehairs brought to life after falling into water. Some have been recorded up to six feet long. ![]() ![]() They are slender worms, 1/25 to 1/8 inch wide, but oftentimes reach a foot in length. I discovered that the worm was a horsehair worm. I was excited to see photos of a worm that I had never heard or seen anything about. About a week ago, I was brought some particularly interesting photos of a long and skinny worm found in a puddle near North Pines Campground. I am often approached in the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center with oddities found while exploring Yosemite National Park. ![]()
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