Gongylonema ingluvicola

Gongylonema ingluvicola is a type of nematode (roundworm) that, as adults, are slender-shaped, yellow, brown to red in color, between 6-14cm (2.4-5.5in) in length. Once they embed themselves into the wall of the esophagus they resemble a zigzag like shape.

G. ingluvicola is an internal parasite of chickens. It invades the crop, esophagus and/or proventriculus of the chicken and feeds on the tissues and fluids of the organs.

Life cycle: G. ingluvicola have an indirect life cycle and use beetles and cockroaches as intermediate hosts, which can also serve as transport hosts of the parasite to chickens, if they are ingested.