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Horsehair Worm — printable fact sheet
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Horsehair Worm
Gordius spp.
Horsehair worms are long, slender parasitic invertebrates often found in water or damp environments. They are known for their striking resemblance to strands of horsehair and can reach lengths of up to two meters, though most are much shorter. As larvae, they parasitize insects …
Did you know?
- Horsehair worms were once believed to spontaneously generate from horsehair left in water, a myth that persisted for centuries.
- Horsehair worms can survive being cut in half and regenerate. Their larvae can manipulate the behavior of their insect hosts, driving them to water so the worm can emerge. Despite their sometimes alarming appearance, they are harmless to humans and pets.
What I learned
Draw the horsehair worm
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