ere it feeds on the blood (hemolymph) and grows, completing this stage of development in one to three months. Within the grasshopper, the egg hatches and the young nematode burrows into the body cavity of the insect. Grasshoppers become infected when they incidentally consume the eggs as they feed. During this time they lay tiny golden-brown eggs which they attach to plants. e adult nematodes are sometimes seen as they crawl on plants, usually following rainy periods in late spring. ![]() It is extremely large, 5 to 20 cm, far larger than the nearly microscopic entomopathogenic nematodes oſten used to control various soil insect pests (see fact sheet 5.573, Insect Parasitic Nematodes ). The Grasshopper Nematode ( Mermis nigrescens ) A roundworm of the phylum Nematoda, Mermis nigrescens, develops as an internal parasite of grasshoppers (and perhaps earwigs). Both are harmless to humans but may attract attention and cause concern. Two unusual, very long ‘worms’ that are occasionally encountered are horsehair worms and the nematode parasite of grasshoppers, Mermis nigrescens.
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