Moniezia

PARASITES ANOPLOCEPHALIDAE

Moniezia Species

• Different species occur in sheep and cattle.
• In the UK, Monieza is very common in lambs but rarely seen in cattle.
• It has a typical tapeworm appearance and is some 2m long.
• The segments are wider than they are long.
• Although impressive when found in a lamb at post mortem examination, Monieza is of little, if any, clinical significance.
• Some believe that it may sometimes slow growth rates, but this has not been proven under British conditions.
• Farmers become aware of infection in late summer when spontaneous expulsion often occurs. Lengths of strobila may then be seen hanging from the back-end of lambs.
• The eggs are similar in appearance to those of A. perfoliata.
• Pasture mites act as intermediate hosts.