Expert: Walter Hintz - 5/28/2006

Question
Mr. Hintz:  Any information on filiment worms for the Oregon area?  Found a worm this morning in our garden that measures about four plus inches long and its' body width a little larger than a human hair.   Never saw a worm like this before; and I am a Biology major!  Thanks for any info.  Chuck Reynolds

Answer
Hi Chuck;  This is amazing because I have been talking to a woman from Oregon about worms she found.  I have tentatively identified them as Gordius worms. (horsehair worms)  The problem in her case is that they are green.
 Your worm however is short for a Gordius and horsehair worms would not be found in the garden. Does it have any prolegs and/orWhat color is it? is it segmented?  I am ruling out lepidoptera and annelids  Can you email me a picture?
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