Posted by David Taylor on August 21, 2008 at 5:34 PM
Went out into the garden after torrential rain today. Moved a deadly nightshade plant growing in a pot from its flooded saucer and saw this thunderworm in the rainwater. Only the third one I've seen in 62 years. It is a nemetode of the family Mermithidae.Probably Mermis nigrescens whose larvae are parasitic on grasshoppers.
Although I never see grashoppers around here any more.
Thunderworms always seem to appear after thunderstorms or heavy rain storms hence its vernacular name. It was about 80mm in length and 1mm in diameter.
Sigma SD14 dslr
Sigma 50mm EX DG Macro lens
Sigma EM-140DG ring flash
F16
1/200s
ISO50
M Setting
Benbo Mk 2 tripod
Novoflex MagicBall head
RAW adjustment SPP3
Cropped PS Elements 5
Framed in Xara Xtreme Pro 4
Posted by John Robinson on August 21, 2008 at 5:50 PM
Superb David , and great info to boot ! Imagine trying to inject youself into a gropper !!
( You are nearly as old as I am!! Great is'nt it !)
Cheers
JohnR
Posted by Dave Bartlett on August 21, 2008 at 7:43 PM
Interesting story, thanks for sharing. Quite a catch by the sound of it.
Dave
Posted by Ben Micklem on August 22, 2008 at 2:06 AM
Great story David, I've certainly never seen this beast.
John- after a bit of research I've discovered that they lay eggs on plants that are then eaten by grass hoppers.
Posted by Mark Fellowes on August 22, 2008 at 5:16 AM
Hi David
Now that's a bit different, and very nicely taken.
Mark
Posted by Major Gilbert on August 22, 2008 at 7:31 AM
Very interesting post David.
Major.
Posted by Paul Inglis on August 23, 2008 at 1:36 PM
Hi David,
Extremely interesting information and a great shot to boot!
Discussion
6 repliesMermis nigrescens whose larvae are parasitic on grasshoppers.
Although I never see grashoppers around here any more.
Thunderworms always seem to appear after thunderstorms or heavy rain storms hence its vernacular name. It was about 80mm in length and 1mm in diameter.
Sigma SD14 dslr
Sigma 50mm EX DG Macro lens
Sigma EM-140DG ring flash
F16
1/200s
ISO50
M Setting
Benbo Mk 2 tripod
Novoflex MagicBall head
RAW adjustment SPP3
Cropped PS Elements 5
Framed in Xara Xtreme Pro 4
( You are nearly as old as I am!! Great is'nt it !)
Cheers
JohnR
Dave
John- after a bit of research I've discovered that they lay eggs on plants that are then eaten by grass hoppers.
Now that's a bit different, and very nicely taken.
Mark
Major.
Extremely interesting information and a great shot to boot!