Horsehair worms are principally round worms which are seen as threads, resembling the mane as well as the tail hair of the horse. They are able to grow larger than one foot long (approximately 0.3 meters). They are never found alone ; instead they remain tangled with each other and seems like a loose ball, similar to the Gordian knot. The scientific name given to them is due to their features of twisting. And, not only by the name Horsehair worm, they are also known as Gordian worms or Cabbage hair worms in few areas of the world. Different from the other worms these are not dangerous in nature and do not damage plants neither do they cause harm animals or humans.
One can find them mostly in ponds, channels, lakes, etc where where the animals live. These can also be found in water-dishes of pets, swimming –pools, bird-baths and also in side-walk puddles during heavy rains . In few occasions they can also be found on the damp plants of the garden and in saturated –soil. These worms have the mating season during the spring and early summer months and choose humid and moisture filled areas like in water or in dirt (wet). The female Horsehair worm lays more than a million eggs, all which are allied to small thin threads. The egg hatches in a span of 2-3 weeks into tiny larvae. One can find two propositions which explain the maturation phenomena of the eggs into the larvae. They appear first to be white in color, afterwards they turn yellowish or into dark chocolate color.
On the basis of the first theory of maturation, the larva clings to the plants found near the ponds. When the level of water goes low then the other insects like crickets, grasshoppers, roaches, etc would look around for exposed plants to have them as food. The larva would then shed off its shells and would delve into these insects which come near the plants to absorb nutrients. This would continue till they are mature enough. One they grown up completely they no longer stay in the body of the host. As per the second theory, the larvae enters the not fully grown insects like mayflies, bugs, dragon flies, etc which feed on the water surface till the host is matured . Once these small insects reach the maturity level, then the larvae would come out from the body of the host. Nonetheless, whichever theory one accepts, the host is bound to die once the worm goes away from its body.
Horsehair worms are useful in keeping a control on the amount of cockroaches, grasshoppers, centipedes, and other types of related pests which causes destruction to crops and garden plants. If these worms are found in toilets or sinks, swimming pools, etc. then you use chemicals or filters to get rid of them . To avert the growth and breeding of these worms in animal troughs, it is always advisable to flush and clean them often.
Some have the notion that the Horsehair worm which are spotted within homes are due to the occurrence of internal parasites. But in reality it is not so. The sole reason why these are found in homes is when the larger insects which act as a host to them are crushed or killed within homes or gardens. One can avoid their entry into homes by using caulking or by sealing the cracks. By doing this you would be able to decrease the entry of the larger insects which might have the larvae of the horsehair worm inside them. One funny fact or better said a legend is that, when the hair of the horse falls into water, it takes life by some mysterious reasons, which take the form of horsehair worms, and so named the same. Believe this at your own risk!