[Iain Goolager]

I was out for a stone throwing session with the loon at a wee river near his Grandparents and saw a quite curious beast in one of the 'rock pools' left after one of the many recent mini spates.

I have a photo of it but it's in my works phone (which is the ZX Spectrums of modern technology so I doubt the picture will be great) and I'm looking for the interface cable at the moment - don't mention bluetooth!

It was Black, around 15cm long and around the thickness of rod whipping thread. At first I thought it was a piece of thread lying in a loose tangle and being manipulated by some unseen current but it was indeed alive. I tried to see if there was some distinguishable head but I couldn't make one out. I've never seen anything remotely like it before, any ideas?

Iain

[Iain Cameron]

iain, you're not hallucinating -- i saw something that sounds identical in the don near the mouth a couple of days back. Thought it was just a piece of weed, but then realised it was moving,  seemed to have a wee head. forgot to pursue what it was, so will be interesting if someone knows

cheers
iain

[sightbob]

it's a horsehair worm, looks like a bit of maxima nylon.
can't remember what their purpose on earth is 
 
brian

[Iain Goolager]

Hi Brian,

Just looked them up on the net and that's the beastie.

You live and learn - thanks

Iain

[Iain Cameron]

yup, that's the beastie. They are parasites, living inside host insects until maturity, before breaking out and killing the host in the process... ugh!!!! nature is amazingly weird sometimes.

[Rob Brownfield]

yup, that's the beastie. They are parasites, living inside host insects until maturity, before breaking out and killing the host in the process... ugh!!!! nature is amazingly weird sometimes.

A bit like a wife then