To determine the population dynamics of oribatid mites, 280 turf samples were collected from university campus and one village, Haibowal. The mites were separated using fabricated Berlese-Tullgren funnel and identified as Scheloribates curvialatus, S. parvus, Galumna spp., Hypozetes spp., Zygoribatula tortilis, S. curvialatus and Hypozetes spp. were the predominant species and occurred throughout the year. Prevalence of natural infection of anoplocephalid cestodes was 1.44, 0.166 and 2.857% in S. curvialatus, Hypozetes spp. and Galumna spp., respectively. In the laboratory the egg suspension of Moniezia expansa was prepared and infection was given to all the five species of oribatid mites. The total duration of development of the parasite from egg to cysticercoid was completed within 29–44 days at temperature ranging from 28–32°C.
Moniezia expansa, Oribatid mites, Scheloribates curvialatus, S. parvus, Galumna spp., Hypozetes spp., Zygoribatula tortilis
