There are two species of liver fluke of main concern to small ruminant producers. Fasciola hepatica, the common liver fluke, causes chronic disease. Ruminants are the main host. Fluke eggs are passed ...

Once the liver fluke infects the ant, several hundred parasites invade the insect’s body. Only one of these parasites will make it to the brain where it then influences the ant’s behavior.

Meanwhile, a large flock of flukes awaits transmission in the ant’s abdomen. The grazer: Once , the grazer ingests an infected ant, it becomes infected with the liver fluke also.

The liver fluke that took control of the ant's brain dies in the host's stomach acid. The larger flock in the ant's abdomen is protected by a capsule that only dissolves once in the host's intestine.

Once in the liver, the Post says, “The worms lay eggs, which are later excreted in the host animal’s feces. The feces, in turn, are eaten by snails, the fluke’s final destination.

Moose researcher Jen Grauer samples water for giant liver fluke in Barnum Pond in the northern Adirondacks in July 2022. Continuing research on Adirondack moose is showing that the population is ...

There are two species of liver fluke of main concern to small ruminant producers. Fasciola hepatica, the common liver fluke, causes chronic disease. Ruminants are the main host. Fluke eggs are passed ...