Worms in Tarantulas

[Mariner1]

I saw a video where a Tarantula was sprayed with bug spray and during/after it died a large worm came out of it. Apparently this worm lays it eggs in the water dish, so it makes the T thirsty while its eating it alive. Does anyone have any information on this? On second thought I should've just googled it.

 

[Tim Benzedrine]

I think I saw that video. if I recall correctly, it wasn't a tarantula, maybe a large wolf spider...in any event, try googling "horsehair worm" and see if you get a result that answers your query. I think their life cycle begins in water. However, I believe from that point they end up in a prey item and then transfer over to a spider consumes the infected prey. But look it up,don't hold me to that.
Parasitism from larvae in tarantulas more commonly results from a type of fly or pepsis wasp, depending on the locale. There is a fascinating (and horrifying) thread here somewhere that follows the development and eventual demise of a WC tarantula from a fly parasite. I think it was posted by Philth, but don't hold me to that either.

 

[Poec54]

I've owned and have cared for (at reptile dealers) many hundreds of wild caught tarantulas over the decades and have never seen signs of worms or any other internal parasite. I'm sure it happens, but it doesn't seem to be a common occurrence that takes a large toll on them.

 

[Mariner1]

Thanks for the responses. This is awesome news because my A. geniculata has been constantly sitting on top of (hopefully)her water dish even when it's full of fresh delicious distilled water.

 

[Philth]

There is a fascinating (and horrifying) thread here somewhere that follows the development and eventual demise of a WC tarantula from a fly parasite. I think it was posted by Philth, but don't hold me to that either.

Yes sir, that was me. http://arachnoboards.com/threads/it-crawled-out-of-my-e-campestratus.180212/

I've owned and have cared for (at reptile dealers) many hundreds of wild caught tarantulas over the decades and have never seen signs of worms or any other internal parasite. I'm sure it happens, but it doesn't seem to be a common occurrence that takes a large toll on them.

I agree, parasites are pretty rare for the most part with tarantulas. I've heard of nematodes wiping out collections, but evan thats still pretty rare.

Thanks for the responses. This is awesome news because my A. geniculata has been constantly sitting on top of (hopefully)her water dish even when it's full of fresh delicious distilled water.

A. geniculata are all captive bred. There are no WC ones, so there is no reason why she would have some weird internal parasite. Why do you give her distilled water? Mine have been drinking regular tap water for 20 years, and none of them ever complain out it.

Later, Tom

 

[Yanose]

I actually had a A. versicolor that i got from a local pet store that had itty bitty little white worms in its book lungs i swabed it's book lungs with a Q-tip dipped in a solution of diluted alcohol about 30-35% and i had the beautiful girl for many year there after. She died three years back i had her for 7 years got her when she was like 3.5 inches across

 

[Poec54]

It is possible for them to get parasites, internal and external, while in captivity.