The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: the two Bs on June 06, 2016, 01:06:21 pm
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Hi everybody,
I have just been cleaning out my 3 pet sheeps' little (but plumbed) water tank and when I refilled it noticed quite a few white wiggly worms, mainly on the surface. They are only about a millimetre across and about 7mm long. Their last egg count done by the vet was only a few weeks ago and all were less than the deworming level. One of them has got some loose poo for the last few days which I had put down to dietary indiscretion (and maybe the turnip I fed her as a treat). They were sheared a week ago.
Does anyone know what they are - should I do anything? I am cleaning out the trough....
Any advice gratefully received! Many thanks
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Mosquito larvae?
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I believe mosquito larvae are generally dark and curled with a big head - they dive if disturbed. Whatever they are I doubt your sheep would drink them by choice.
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I had this ages ago in one of my water butts, I think they're possibly dragonfly larvae, not mosquito. Is it real stagnant water they're in? I would take some out, protective clothing needed, and send it off for testing to see what it is. I can't remember what mine where but they dided due to the hot weather I had to keep adding water for them but they died so i never saw them turn into anything. They do get bigger and fatter as time goes on though.
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OK, Mosquito larvae (http://agrilifecdn.tamu.edu/etg/files/2013/07/mosquito_larvae_mmerchant.jpg) are small and hairy and breathe through the end of their tails (they hang from the surface film). Mosquito pupae (http://fmel.ifas.ufl.edu/kits/images/pupa1.jpg) are a bit like wiggly apostrophe's.Dragonfly larvae (https://featuredcreature.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/dragonfly_larva.jpg) are flippin' huge, and are definitely not what you've got here. WBF - were yours 'rat tailed maggots' (http://www.naturebob.com/zenphoto/cache/Insects/flies-diptera-/rat-tailed-maggot-front-view_595.jpg)by any chance? If so, they're dronefly (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eristalis_tenax) larvae (the ones that look a bit like a cross between a hoverfly and a bee).
However, yes, probably some sort of insect larvae that have made their home in your trough. I can't see why they'd cause any harm to your sheep though, nor would they be indicative of intestinal worms.
I'm intrigued now though - any chance of a close-up photo if you haven't already got rid?
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OK, Mosquito larvae (http://agrilifecdn.tamu.edu/etg/files/2013/07/mosquito_larvae_mmerchant.jpg) are small and hairy and breathe through the end of their tails (they hang from the surface film). Mosquito pupae (http://fmel.ifas.ufl.edu/kits/images/pupa1.jpg) are a bit like wiggly apostrophe's.Dragonfly larvae (https://featuredcreature.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/dragonfly_larva.jpg) are flippin' huge, and are definitely not what you've got here. WBF - were yours 'rat tailed maggots' (http://www.naturebob.com/zenphoto/cache/Insects/flies-diptera-/rat-tailed-maggot-front-view_595.jpg)by any chance? If so, they're dronefly (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eristalis_tenax) larvae (the ones that look a bit like a cross between a hoverfly and a bee).
However, yes, probably some sort of insect larvae that have made their home in your trough. I can't see why they'd cause any harm to your sheep though, nor would they be indicative of intestinal worms.
I'm intrigued now though - any chance of a close-up photo if you haven't already got rid?
Yea possibly, I asked a guy about it and he said dragonfly, they did grow rather big though in the end, but sadly never saw the end result. Agree with [member=2128]Womble[/member] though Pics would be a good starting point :)
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Thank you so much everyone. I feel much better for your advice that they are unlikely to be harmful to my little trio. I don't think they quite fit the description of mosquito larvae. I am trying to send a picture but struggling to reduce the size of the JPEG file to be OK with the forum requirements as I am a bit of a numptie with these things. If I don't manage, many apologies and it wont be through lack of trying!
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Here we are - though the larger file photos are much more beautiful! Any ideas? Many thanks
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Well it seems at least twenty people have looked at this and haven't got a clue, so I'm going to admit I haven't either. My scientific opinion is that they look segmented and wiggly ;). If it was me, I'd put them in a sealed bucket of pond water and see what they turned into..... but that's me!
I don't think they'll hurt your sheep though.
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have you got a tree overhanging your water tank?
I found alot of similar looking things that spin a silk thread and then dangle in the wind off the trees, they like my goat willow particularly. can't tell you exactly what they are but suspect they are not meant to be in the water.
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You might get some more ideas as to what they might be if you post it on the 'Wildlife' section.