Diphyllobothrium latum:
(1) usually passed in a short chain of segments
(2) wider than long (usually 3 mm long and 11 mm wide)
(3) central uterus rosette-shaped
Taenia saginata:
(1) usually pass singly
(2) longer than wide (usually 19 mm long and 17 mm wide)
(3) single genital pore at lateral margin
(4) central uterine stem has 15-20 lateral branches on each side
Taenia solium:
(1) usually passed in a short chain of segments
(2) longer than wide (usually 11 mm long and 5 mm wide)
(3) single genital pore at lateral margin
(4) central uterine stem has 7-13 lateral branches on each side
Dipylidium caninum:
(1) longer than wide (usually 8-23 mm long)
(2) spindle shaped; may resemble a grain of rice
(3) genital pores at both lateral margins
(4) characteristic egg packets may be found if the proglottid is ruptured
The proglottids of Hymenolepsis nana and Hymenolepsis diminuta are usually not passed in feces.