Ligula intestinalis

ALSO KNOWN AS: Ligulosis

Lingula are a common tapeworm found in cyprinid fishes in Europe and North America. The parasite requires three hosts in its life cycle: fish, birds and copepods. Fish become infected after eating infected copepods. Within the fish, the worms can grow very large (>4″). The life cycle is completed when the fish is eaten by the bird host.

Distribution: Freshwater environments worldwide

Detection Methods: Gross pathology / Gross clinical signs

Hosts: Fish (intermediate host), birds (definitive host)

Target tissue: Body cavity, intestines