Acanthocephalan
Guides
Periplaneta brunnea
brown cockroach
Periplaneta brunnea is a cockroach species in the family Blattidae, commonly known as the brown cockroach. It serves as an intermediate host for the acanthocephalan parasite Moniliformis moniliformis, with behavioral alterations documented in infected individuals. The species has been used in biochemical studies investigating juvenile hormone regulation and insecticide metabolism. Its distribution includes regions in Africa, Australia, and South America including the Galápagos Islands.
Phyllophaga vehemens
Phyllophaga vehemens is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, commonly known as a May beetle or June beetle. It occurs in North America, with documented records from multiple U.S. states across the Midwest and South. The species has been identified as an intermediary host for the giant thorn-headed worm of swine (Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus), an acanthocephalan parasite. As with other Phyllophaga species, adults are likely nocturnal and attracted to lights.