Horsehair Worms Are Real, Horrifying Parasites, And They've Evolved To Attack Humanity

Mysteryreels.io 🇺🇸 on Instagram: "Horsehair worms (Nematomorpha) are parasitic worms known for infecting insects like mantises, crickets, and grasshoppers. These worms start life as microscopic larvae in aquatic environments, where thev are accidentally ingested by insect hosts. Inside the mantis, the larva penetrates tissues and develops within the bodv cavity, feeding on non-essential internal fluids and fat reserves while carefullv avoiding vital organs so the host stays alive. Over weeks o

How Everything Works on Instagram: "The “mantis parasite,” often referring to the horsehair worm (Nematomorpha), is a real-life parasite that infects insects like praying mantises, crickets, and grasshoppers. The worm enters the insect while it’s still a larva—usually through contaminated water or food—and continues to grow inside the host’s body. As it matures, the parasite affects the insect’s behavior, pushing it to seek out water. Once the host reaches a pond or stream, the fully grown worm

Nematoda

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