A few minutes later the cricket had returned to it's feet and there was a long, black thread-like worm beside it. What the heck????
2006-08-09 17:39:59 · 6 answers · asked by imgma2 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
What you saw was a Gordian worm. They are parasites of insects and closely related to roundworms.
Gordian worm eggs are laid in water and the larvae enter insects when they drink. They grow inside the insects' gut and gradually eat it form the inside out. When they have almost killed the insect they release hormones that cause the insect to feel intense thirst and seek out water. When the insect arrives at water the worm bursts out and swims away. The insect dies shortly afterwards.
Most people see Gordian worms either in the toilet or in their pet's water bowls due to the worm causing infected cockroaches to drink from those water sources.
The most surpising thing is just how much worm can fit inside one cricket or cokroach without killing it. A three inch insect can easily hold a worm 8 inches long.
One of nature's little miracles.
2006-08-09 17:51:19 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have no idea I dont know why a cricket would look like that after it was kinda already dead
2006-08-10 00:43:10 · answer #2 · answered by IxLovexThisxBoy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
thats probably the crickets penis. look it up on website.
2006-08-10 00:43:44 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Are you sure it wasn't it's antennae
2006-08-10 00:45:29 · answer #4 · answered by frog_h 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, I think it might just be it's inner organs? if they do have them ?
2006-08-10 00:45:52 · answer #5 · answered by Vendoras 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
whoa that 's creepy
2006-08-10 00:43:28 · answer #6 · answered by KING OF KINGS 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋