Can't really tell by your photos, but if it has legs along it's entire
length, I'd guess it's a millipede:
http://www.uky.edu/Ag/CritterFiles/c.../millipede.htm
If so, it's a good guy!

Suzy O, zone 5, Wisconsin


wrote in message
oups.com...
I have some nematode/leach/worm looking things crawling in my soil that
I would very much like to blame for the fact that very few of my seeds
or seedlings (with the exception of tomatoes) are taking in my garden.
They either don't sprout (i.e. there is never a seedling popping out)
or they wilt and wither if purchased in pots and planted. If it makes
any difference, my little plot (not much larger than the size standard
I used in the pictures, really) is facing W with full exposure in
Southern California.

Images of one of the larger ones I have found are at
http://gallery.grajagan.org/v/public/thing/ . His buddies are generally
half the size, so about 1/4 inch. Their tops are black, their
undersides are greyish and their movements remind me of leaches. I
found a couple (including the one in the photos) rearing their heads
like cobras while crawling around on top of the soil. I have also found
them eating strawberry fruits.

Any pointers would be very much appreciated. If anyone knows how to
treat these organically, that would be great too!

thanks in advance,
h.