Changes

After mating, the eggs are excreted in the faeces.  The first intermediate host, the snail, eats the faeces and ingests the infective larvae.  The larvae then grow and develop in the host.  The larvae are then extruded in the slime.  This phase requires around 3 months for completion.

After mating, the eggs are excreted in the faeces.  The first intermediate host, the snail, eats the faeces and ingests the infective larvae.  The larvae then grow and develop in the host.  The larvae are then extruded in the slime.  This phase requires around 3 months for completion.

The slime balls are then ingested by the ant, along with the developing larvae, known as cercariae.  In the ant they mature into metacercariae.  The presence of metacercariae in the nerve ganglia of the ants makes them revert to a primitive behaviour pattern, whereby they cling onto herbage overnight instead of retreating to the nest enhancing the likelihood of being eaten by grazing animals

The slime balls are then ingested by the '''ant''', along with the developing larvae, known as '''cercariae'''.  In the ant they mature into '''metacercariae'''.  The presence of metacercariae in the nerve ganglia of the ants makes them revert to a primitive behaviour pattern, whereby they cling onto herbage overnight instead of retreating to the nest enhancing the likelihood of being eaten by grazing animals

Infection of the definitve host is via ingestion of ants, mainly on the pasture.  The metacercariae moult into immature flukes and migrate directly up the bile duct into the liver.

Infection of the definitve host is via ingestion of ants, mainly on the pasture.  The metacercariae moult into immature flukes and migrate directly up the bile duct into the liver.