Identify this wurm.

September 21, 2007 4:16 PM

KREECHURfilter: a sunflower seed with a long black worm inside?

It was an insect, but I've never seen anything like it--it had a "shell" much like a sunflower seed (though it did not seem to be an actual sunflower seed), and a long black worm-looking body extended from a hole in one end. It was hauling itself up the wall with an elegant humping motion. I'm in Florida, if that helps, and have been undergoing some apartment renovation recently; a few floors have been torn up, so all manner of crawlies are invading, but I'm totally unable to identify this one. I was unable to get a picture of it, but maybe the description will ring some bells. Anyone?

posted by Powerful Religious Baby to pets & animals (6 comments total)

Could it be a larva emerging from the exoskeleton of its dead host?
posted by fish tick at 4:50 PM on September 21, 2007

How about this?
posted by fish tick at 4:52 PM on September 21, 2007

What kind of host might have such an exoskeleton, I wonder? I don't think it's a horsehair worm--the movement looks all wrong. The movement of this worm was more like a caterpillar's: s t r e t c h, FAT, s t r e t c h, FAT.

(In the course of my searching, I found an amazing site called the Bay Area Bug Eating Society. Recommended to any and all. Sample comment: "I like bamboo grubs a lot, and since I am a Cancer and I'm dating an Aquarius, I really get into moonlight raiding of earth termite mounds.-Robert")
posted by Powerful Religious Baby at 5:06 PM on September 21, 2007

I've looked at all the ooey gooey wermz on my fav bug site, What's That Bug, but no love. About how long was it?
posted by iconomy at 5:17 PM on September 21, 2007

Ooo! I think I cracked the case. I googled "tiny black caterpillar dragging a shell," and What's That Bug matches my description:

You have Case-Bearing Moth larvae. The small larvae carry a noticeable case made of fine sand and debris. The case, which is about a quarter to half an inch long, is flattened on top and bottom, expanded at its center and tapered at both ends. They are often found on walls (both outside and inside) of houses and other structures. Larvae are said to feed primarily on insect remains, fur, flannel, and hair: they do not seem to be a clothes pest. We have gotten many letters from Florida regarding Case Bearing Moths.

Thanks for your help, fish tick. It didn't occur to me that it might be larval.

On preview: JINX, iconomy--it was about half an inch long all told. Really quite weird. There are some pictures on that page, though the shell of my guy was considerably darker.
posted by Powerful Religious Baby at 5:19 PM on September 21, 2007 [1 favorite has favorites]

Glad you found it! Doh...I never thought to look on the caterpillar page.
posted by iconomy at 5:26 PM on September 21, 2007