Figure 1: The life cycle of the hairworm. (IMAGE)

Kobe University

Figure 1: The life cycle of the hairworm.

Caption

After hatching in the water, hairworm larvae parasitize aquatic insects and form a cyst in the hosts' body cavity. After the aquatic insect has grown wings, the hairworm is transported from an aquatic environment to a terrestrial environment. If the aquatic insect is consumed by a mantid, the hairworm grows inside the mantid's body until it reaches maturity and causes its host to enter the water. Once the mantid is in the water, the hairworm escapes back into the aquatic environment to reproduce, and its lifecycle ends.

Credit

Takuya Sato

Usage Restrictions

Please credit.

License

Licensed content

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.