Gapeworm

Tracheal worms in the trachea of a pheasant

The air tube worm ( Syngamus trachea ) lives parasitically in the trachea of chickens and other birds.

Features

The female is about 4 cm long. The male is life firmly connected to the females.

Life cycle

The eggs pass via the trachea into the pharynx and from there via the gastrointestinal tract to the outside. The host takes the eggs with the already capable of infection larvae either directly, or the larvae hatch at an intermediate host ( earthworm, snails, flies, etc.) where they are not, however, evolve, and are eaten together with it. From the intestine, they pass through the blood to the lungs and from there into the trachea.

Harmful effect

Through a mass infestation of the bird breathing is impaired and the animal can suffocate.

Swell

• Short description (English )

• Parasite in birds
• Nematodes
• Trachea