Strange creature - what is it??

[wonsnow]

I'm in SE Scotland, altitude around 250 m.

Recently, I noticed a worm like creature whipping around in a puddle on a
muddy track a few days ago. The puddle would be around 250 m from nearest
watercourse. It was around 13 to 15 cm long, black and only around 2 mm
wide. It seemed so thin that at first I though it was just a bit of thread
but it was alive. I probably shouldn't be posting here as I'd guess it is
some sort of worm and nothing to do with ponds. I did wonder if it was an
elver, but suspect it is too thin. Can anyone confirm??

I'd be grateful if anyone could identify it or direct me to a more
appropriate newsgroup.

Here are pics and a short clip:

Loading Image...
Loading Image...

http://fernyglade.tripod.com/wtf.avi

[Richard Torrens (news)]

Post by wonsnow
I'm in SE Scotland, altitude around 250 m.
Recently, I noticed a worm like creature whipping around in a puddle on
a muddy track a few days ago. The puddle would be around 250 m from
nearest watercourse. It was around 13 to 15 cm long, black and only
around 2 mm wide. It seemed so thin that at first I though it was just a
bit of thread but it was alive. I probably shouldn't be posting here as
I'd guess it is some sort of worm and nothing to do with ponds. I did
wonder if it was an elver, but suspect it is too thin. Can anyone
confirm??
I'd be grateful if anyone could identify it or direct me to a more
appropriate newsgroup.
http://fernyglade.tripod.com/wtf.jpg
http://fernyglade.tripod.com/wtf2.jpg
http://fernyglade.tripod.com/wtf.avi

There are dozens of species of works: some live in water, some in soil.
All need moisture and many really can't decide whether they are
terrestrial or aquatic! When you live in a coat of slime and have no
lungs, the difference becomes academic!

You also need a microscope and expert knowledge to identify many of them.

I'm not an expert, but this appears to be a 'Hair worm' - Gordius sp.
I quote from John Clegg: Fairly common in spring and early summer. They
resemble nothing so much as horse-hairs and are about 6" long."

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&safe=off&q=%22horsehair+worms%22+gordius&btnG=Search&meta=

[wonsnow]

Post by Richard Torrens (news)

Post by wonsnow
I'm in SE Scotland, altitude around 250 m.
Recently, I noticed a worm like creature whipping around in a puddle on
a muddy track a few days ago. The puddle would be around 250 m from
nearest watercourse. It was around 13 to 15 cm long, black and only
around 2 mm wide. It seemed so thin that at first I though it was just a
bit of thread but it was alive. I probably shouldn't be posting here as
I'd guess it is some sort of worm and nothing to do with ponds. I did
wonder if it was an elver, but suspect it is too thin. Can anyone
confirm??
I'd be grateful if anyone could identify it or direct me to a more
appropriate newsgroup.
http://fernyglade.tripod.com/wtf.jpg
http://fernyglade.tripod.com/wtf2.jpg
http://fernyglade.tripod.com/wtf.avi

There are dozens of species of works: some live in water, some in soil.
All need moisture and many really can't decide whether they are
terrestrial or aquatic! When you live in a coat of slime and have no
lungs, the difference becomes academic!
You also need a microscope and expert knowledge to identify many of them.
I'm not an expert, but this appears to be a 'Hair worm' - Gordius sp.
I quote from John Clegg: Fairly common in spring and early summer. They
resemble nothing so much as horse-hairs and are about 6" long."
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&safe=off&q=%22horsehair+worms%22+gordius&btnG=Search&meta=

Yes this description fits. Thankyou. Does John Clegg mention where they are
fairly common??? I've not seen one here before in decades and wonder if
climatic change is responsible.

[Richard Torrens (news)]

[Snip]

Post by wonsnow

Post by Richard Torrens (news)
I'm not an expert, but this appears to be a 'Hair worm' - Gordius sp.
I quote from John Clegg: Fairly common in spring and early summer. They
resemble nothing so much as horse-hairs and are about 6" long."
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&safe=off&q=%22horsehair+worms%22+gordius&btnG=Search&meta=

Yes this description fits. Thankyou. Does John Clegg mention where they
are fairly common??? I've not seen one here before in decades and
wonder if climatic change is responsible.

No location given, just fairly common.

They are the adult stage of a parasitic worm: the adults don't feed, just
reproduce, so have a short life. They will be very seasonal
(spring/summer).