Eucestodes have bodies divided into a series of proglottids. A scolex is found at the tip of the head, behind which is located a germinal region or neck . The remaining trunk, composed of numerous proglottids is referred to as the strobila . New proglottids are produced asexually from the neck region. As new units are budded off, old proglottids are pushed further down the body.
Genitalia mature progressively as the proglottids move towards the rear of the organism.
The hermaphrodite proglottids are fertilised by those of the same or a different animal in close proximity. Development of a shelled embryo takes place in the uterus of the proglottid. As they reach the rear of the tapeworm, proglottids and their eggs are broken off and released from the host along with the faecal material. The eggs are consumed by an intermediate host, typically a vertebrate or arthropod, where they may encyst or develop into an initial larval form, the oncosphere , which is ciliated, motile and bears a number of tiny hooks. Other larval forms are also known.