[Pil-pc-oceania] worms - can anyone identify?

[Linda Shewan]

Hi Graeme

That could be it - from some horse manure not properly matured compost before I used it... I will do some research on them.

Thanks, Linda

From: Graeme George - Earthcare Permaculture [mailto:earthcarepc at virtual.net.au]
Sent: Monday, 5 November 2007 12:27 PM
To: permacultue discussion list
Subject: Re: [Pil-pc-oceania] worms - can anyone identify?

Linda

If they are stiff and wiry they might be hairworms (Nematomorpha) which live in aquatic environments and damp soils, some being parasitic in insects. I have some recollection about a connection with horses, but that may be because some look like horse hairs that have come to life.

Cheers

Graeme

Linda Shewan wrote:
I found these on my pak choy on Friday morning. Look like roundworms (nematodes) - does that sound right?

I have never seen them before and they were waving in the air like leeches - seriously freaked me out. I assume they are bad - certainly look it. I found 5 of them in total and put them in a jar for ID - my friend took them to the vet with her but they wouldn't even look at them...

How would they have got there - animal faeces?

Is there anything I should do now - I have checked every day since and not seen anymore but ...

Thanks, Linda

________________________________

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://jasper.cmsarchitects.com/pipermail/pil-pc-oceania/attachments/20071105/f62391dd/attachment.html