Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: malcolmc on 02/06/2008 16:52:19

Title: What is this worm-like creature on my shrubs?
Post by: malcolmc on 02/06/2008 16:52:19

Does anyone know what this worm-like creature is?

I saw it in my garden (Gloucestershire, England) one rainy morning. It was at the top of a shrub, and one end was waving round quite quickly, as if it was searching for something. It was about 0.5 mm in diameter, it was difficult to give a length as it was wound round leaves, but I would think around 100mm (4 inches).

This picture is rather poor, but gives some idea of the creature. The thickening at the end is blurring of the picture as it as it was waving so fast, the creature was the same width for the whole of its length, except for some tapering at the end. The leaves in the picture are about 2cm (3/4 inch) in length.

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Title: Re: What is this worm-like creature on my shrubs?
Post by: ukmicky on 02/06/2008 18:05:22

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Title: What is this worm-like creature on my shrubs?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 02/06/2008 19:27:57

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Title: What is this worm-like creature on my shrubs?
Post by: rosalind dna on 09/06/2008 23:01:27

Are the leaves sticky to the touch, like honey?? (Honey fungus)

Title: What is this worm-like creature on my shrubs?
Post by: LeeE on 10/06/2008 03:07:04

Hmm... that pic rings a faint bell from when I was very young - I think I may have seen them as a child.

Best hit I've found so far are Horesehair worms, but they're usually found in water.  However, they do spend one of their development phases in non-aquatic insects, so it's just possible that one could end up out of water.

http://kaweahoaks.com/html/horsehairworms.html (http://kaweahoaks.com/html/horsehairworms.html)

Title: What is this worm-like creature on my shrubs?
Post by: Karen W. on 10/06/2008 03:39:51

Quote from: LeeE on 10/06/2008 03:07:04

Hmm... that pic rings a faint bell from when I was very young - I think I may have seen them as a child.

Best hit I've found so far are Horesehair worms, but they're usually found in water.  However, they do spend one of their development phases in non-aquatic insects, so it's just possible that one could end up out of water.

http://kaweahoaks.com/html/horsehairworms.html (http://kaweahoaks.com/html/horsehairworms.html)

Lee I thought your picture was great comparison.. LOL But I thought that worm was on the side of the guys face! LOL.. side shot of nose lip but his ear area had to many extra folds.. LOL Then I re-examined and saw it was his or her hand! LOL.. Sorry but I agree that is very close..likeness if not on the money!

Title: What is this worm-like creature on my shrubs?
Post by: LeeE on 11/06/2008 14:18:50

Actually, I don't think it can be a Horsehair worm.  Although they do spend  their final pre-adult stage in a non-aquatic insect, the creature in the photo looks like a relatively old adult, which couldn't have developed out of water.

Title: What is this worm-like creature on my shrubs?
Post by: malcolmc on 11/06/2008 21:18:08

Thanks for the replies. After posting my original question I did some research on the wab, and came up with hair-worms, but like LeeE decided that was unlikely as all the information I found said they were aquatic. Any further suggestions welcome, if i get any information elsewhere I will post here.

Title: What is this worm-like creature on my shrubs?
Post by: LeeE on 11/06/2008 23:06:43

Please do - it'll be interesting to identify the little beastie.

Title: What is this worm-like creature on my shrubs?
Post by: neilep on 12/06/2008 01:00:21

Is your Garden underwater ?  [;)]

Title: What is this worm-like creature on my shrubs?
Post by: LeeE on 12/06/2008 12:42:26

Octopus's garden?