Worm in Potato Probably a Tuberworm

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We received a disturbing story from a reader who was eating a fried potato in Peru when she discovered a weird bulge that turned out to be a worm. She described it as white or gray with lines on it (perhaps she meant that it was segmented). She also mentioned that it appeared too big to be a wireworm or tuberworm. She is curious what this creature was and mentioned she thought she might have eaten one.

Before answering her question, we want remind her that we are not medical professionals and cannot give advice about what to do after consuming a worm. If she is concerned about her health, we encourage her to see a doctor to provide accurate information!

Although she said she believed what she found was too big to be a wireworm or tuberworm, these are the most common worms found in potatoes. Tuberworms are white or gray, segmented and can grow up to 19 mm when fully mature. Wireworms are a rusty orange or beige, also segmented and generally smaller than tuberworms.

Based off of the description our reader provided, we believe she has found tuberworms, and perhaps the one she found was just larger than average. Tuberworms are not known to be harmful to humans, but we still encourage our reader to see a doctor if she thinks she ingested one of these creatures.

In conclusion, a reader found what we believe to be a tuberworm when she was eating a potato in Peru.

 

 

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Summary
Worm in Potato Probably a Tuberworm
Article Name
Worm in Potato Probably a Tuberworm
Description
We received a disturbing story from a reader who was eating a fried potato in Peru when she discovered a weird bulge that turned out to be a worm. She described it as white or gray with lines on it (perhaps she meant that it was segmented). She also mentioned that it appeared too big to be a wireworm or tuberworm. She is curious what this creature was and mentioned she thought she might have eaten one.
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Author: Worm Researcher Dori

1 thought on “Worm in Potato Probably a Tuberworm

  1. I was eating boiled potatoes and suddenly found a worm which was of brown colour and with a little membranous body mouth was cut with a hole

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