unkown worm like insect

[new blue]

This last year for the first time I saw little hair like worms color was mainly white some had a lite brown color to them. Is this some thing to worry about this year? I've read up on eleworms but not for sure these insects in my garden are that. Due to finding on top of the soil after roto tilling the garden and heavy rains. Does any one know what I should do.

[Lavandula Girl]

New Blue - you didn't by any chance get a photo of the critters, did you? Did they favor the area around a certain crop? And hairlike... meaning really skinny, I assume? How long would you say they were? Had you seen any other insect activity near this area - a moth or other flying creature perhaps? Finally - was the area around these worms damaged in any way? That you could see, in any case? Leaf/stem/root damage, for instance...

[new blue]

New Blue - you didn't by any chance get a photo of the critters, did you? Did they favor the area around a certain crop? And hairlike... meaning really skinny, I assume? How long would you say they were? Had you seen any other insect activity near this area - a moth or other flying creature perhaps? Finally - was the area around these worms damaged in any way? That you could see, in any case? Leaf/stem/root damage, for instance...

No I did not get a picture but the only time I saw them was after we roto tilled and the ground was bare ready to be planted this last season ( the whole garden bed) and it rained alot ( which was unusual for us here). What raises the question now I was looking at another site which listed pests and pictures and the eleworm looked awfully similar to what I saw in my garden but unlike the eleworm these creatures where surface bound and not underground in and on roots???? Very confused.

Yes very skiny and no longer than an inch. At the end of the season I noticed I have slugs, some little greens worms,and of coarse lots of earth worms, many different species of bee's ( at least 5), grasshopers, few of leaf hoppers ( I do believe the call them) and of coarse mosquito's (live close to a ditch and a river) some aphids(nothing to complain about yet),bettles ( still learning which is beneficial), lady bugs . But my onions and radish did not do any thing this last year. My carrots had root damage when I picked them. The rest of my garden did really good.

greatly appreciate your input on this. It is so nice to get in touch those that have an interest.

new blue
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[GeorgeSims]

Unknown. Worm-like. Insect.

Sounds like Cliffodius timmonsi to me.

[TennOC]

george, I almost had that "edit>copied" before it hit me, I was gonna look it up since it's a new one on me, lol.

[TennOC]

Turns out they're pretty rare, with only one specimen known.

[lorac]

me too! :D:D:D too funny..

[GeorgeSims]

Yeah, a couple more tried to slip in, over the border, but some Homeland Security guy nailed 'em.

[TennOC]

Wonder how long it'll be til he sees this thread? Been nice knowin' ya George, lol.

[Lavandula Girl]

New Blue - I'm not sure that you have enough evidence that the worms were the cause of the root damage or crop failure you experienced. There are other reasons thes things may have happened. The worms you describe do have similarities to certain detrimental nematodes, but it's not really possible to say what they were for sure.

My advice is two fold:
1. Move your root crops to a different section of your garden. If the worms were of a species that isn't good for roots, this may help

2. Get a sample of the worms this spring, and bring them to your local Extension Office for a positive ID. (This may not be a rapid process... if the local agent cannot ID them positively, the worms will be sent away, which may take weeks.)

Remember - nematodes are the most prolific family of beasts on the planet. There are many that are either beneficial or garden-neutral, as well as many that will adversely affect your crops. Just don't be too quick to kill them off, prior to figuring out what they are there for.

[strong eagle]

newblu, just what part of the country are you gardening in? here in the Ozarks they have "Hair Snakes" which, regardless of what the locals think, are NOT snakes. I'll find them occassionally when I turn the garden over in the spring. they look like moving horse hairs, and I don't think they've ever did any damage to my crops, just bizzare to look at.[ I know, I know, make what you want of it George!] ha. Strong

[new blue]

I'm blessed to be gardening in the big sky counrty ( Montana) yellowstone county. I'm very new to watching the soil. I'm going to do as Lavandul girl suggests and watch, take pictures, move the garden around, and take a sample to the local extinson office this year. yes you are right very bizzare to look at.

[GeorgeSims]

TennOC,

I know he carries a gun. So far, in my long and checkered life, I've been shot at twice, and missed twice. Hope the luck holds.

[TennOC]

George, I'm just in shock to find that not everybody reads the whole board everyday. 'Course I got nothing better to do, it's January, lol.

[ibadreamer]

sounds like baby worms to me. i have a worm bin and i find these balls of worms every now and then. when you pull it apart it looks like blond hair they are so fine. its good news.