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The Role of Coprophagous Beetles in the Dissemination of Taeniasis in Kenya

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Abstract

Coprophagous beetles belonging to two genera, Onitis and Heliocopris, were collected and fed on proglotids and eggs of Taenia saginata. The beetles’ faeces was collected after 24 hr onwards and examined for Taenia eggs. The flight range and behaviour of the beetles was investigated using cow rumen contents as bait for starved marked beetles. Results indicate that coprophagous beetles could play a role in dissemination of taeniasis.

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Mutinga, M.J., Madel, G. The Role of Coprophagous Beetles in the Dissemination of Taeniasis in Kenya. Int J Trop Insect Sci 1, 379–382 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400000710

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