Flea tapeworm proglottid

Scientific Name: Dipylidium caninum

Order & Family: Cyclophyllidea, Dipylidiidae

Size: Proglottids are typically 3-5 mm long and resemble grains of rice

Flea tapeworm proglottid

Natural Habitat

Intestines of dogs, cats, and sometimes humans (especially children) as adults; fleas or lice as intermediate hosts

Diet & Feeding

Absorbs nutrients directly from the host's intestinal tract

Behavior Patterns

Adult tapeworms release egg-filled proglottids into host feces. Intermediate hosts (flea larvae) ingest eggs. Definitive hosts ingest infected fleas during grooming.

Risks & Benefits

Causes dipylidiasis in pets and occasionally humans. Usually asymptomatic or mild (itching, weight loss). No significant ecological benefits.

Identified on: 3/9/2026