“I pray you receive some of my emails and can help with identifying these”, writes this reader in his submission regarding the two, distinctly different-looking organisms pictured below. “I have hours of digital footage on a cheap microphone and so many pics. I live in Richmond Hill, Georgia.” Firstly, we have to point out that, from what we can tell by looking at these photos, it looks like they were taken through a microscope. We cannot know that for certain, but when we compare it to other submissions we have received where the photos were taken like that, the similarity is significant. In any case, the photos have a strange quality about them.

In any case, the organisms are so devoid of identifying information — essentially looking like blobs of flesh — that we will not be able to identify them with any degree of certainty or accuracy. We should also note that we did not receive any of the videos our reader mentioned, which is why they are not included. When it comes to the translucent one, we can see a long, brown object right next to the ovate creature. If we assume that this is an appendage that belongs to the creature, we would suggest that this could be a rat-tailed maggot. That is definitely not the prettiest name given to a creature, but these guys are completely harmless. They are the larvae of hoverflies, and occur in bodies of water, where they feed on decomposing organic debris. Now, despite living in water, rat-tailed maggots are not actually aquatic so far as being able to breathe underwater. This is because their tails are actually not strictly tails, but breathing tubes.

When it comes to the black organism, we have no idea what it might be. It could be the pupa of the hoverfly (the next stage in the life cycle after ‘larvahood’), though they are typically a light brown color, not black like this critter. If our reader really wants to know what this is, we suggest taking them to his local county extension office, where someone will be able to physically examine them.

Likewise, if he has medical concerns as a result of finding these creatures, then he should disregard the information written above and consult a medical professional. When it comes to organisms negatively affecting people’s health, we always suggest consulting a medical parasitologist — a physician which specializes in this exact area. To find a medical parasitologist or other health care provider who can actually help, our reader can do one or more of the following:

– Visit our parasite care resources page here: https://www.allaboutworms.com/get-medical-attention-and-tests-for-parasites

– Search for a medical parasitologist in his area using this directory of medical parasitology consultants: https://www.astmh.org/for-astmh-members/clinical-consultants-directory.

– Search for a local parasitologist by doing a Google search for “medical parasitologist (name of the closest big city)” or “tropical medicine specialist (name of the closest big city)”.

In conclusion, it is difficult for us to identify these creatures confidently, given the lack of identifying information. The translucent, pink creature somewhat resembles a rat-tailed maggot, though that identification might prove a bit farfetched. When it comes to the black one, we have no idea. We suggest consulting someone at our reader’s local county extension office, or a medical parasitologist if that would put our reader’s mind at ease. We hope this helps, and we wish our reader the very best.

Summary

Article Name

Slimy-looking, Pinkish Worm Could be a Rat-tailed Maggot

Description

"I pray you receive some of my emails and can help with identifying these", writes this reader in his submission regarding the two, distinctly different-looking organisms pictured below. "I have hours of digital footage on a cheap microphone and so many pics. I live in Richmond Hill, Georgia." Firstly, we have to point out that, from what we can tell by looking at these photos, it looks like they were taken through a microscope. We cannot know that for certain, but when we compare it to other submissions we have received where the photos were taken like that, the similarity is significant. In any case, the photos have a strange quality about them.

Author

Worm Researcher Anton