biostudies-literatureUnknown152(13)Berec MCoccidia (Apicomplexa) may have a devastating effect on captive reptiles, particularly chameleons and bearded dragons (<i>Pogona vitticeps</i>). This study investigated the potential of three common feeder insects - the Argentine cockroach (<i>Blaptica dubia</i>), the banana cricket (<i>Gryllus assimilis</i>) and the superworm larva (<i>Zophobas morio</i>) - to act as passive vectors for coccidian oocysts, specifically <i>Isospora amphiboluri</i> and <i>Choleoeimeria pogonae</i>, common enteric parasites of captive bearded dragons. Faecal samples from experimentally infected bearded dragons were fed to the insects to assess the passage of viable oocysts through their digestive tracts. <i>Gryllus assimilis</i> exhibited the highest passage rates for both coccidia, followed by <i>B. dubia; ZParasitology1381-1386https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12917416biostudies-literatureFeeder insects differ in passage of coccidian oocysts in captive reptiles.PMC12917416Berec MZahourek JKvicerova JTotuskova GSetlikova IfalseFeeder insects differ in passage of coccidian oocysts in captive reptiles.Coccidia (Apicomplexa) may have a devastating effect on captive reptiles, particularly chameleons and bearded dragons (<i>Pogona vitticeps</i>). This study investigated the potential of three common feeder insects - the Argentine cockroach (<i>Blaptica dubia</i>), the banana cricket (<i>Gryllus assimilis</i>) and the superworm larva (<i>Zophobas morio</i>) - to act as passive vectors for coccidian oocysts, specifically <i>Isospora amphiboluri</i> and <i>Choleoeimeria pogonae</i>, common enteric parasites of captive bearded dragons. Faecal samples from experimentally infected bearded dragons were fed to the insects to assess the passage of viable oocysts through their digestive tracts. <i>Gryllus assimilis</i> exhibited the highest passage rates for both coccidia, followed by <i>B. dubia; Z2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Nov2026-07-16T09:59:02.668Z2026-07-09T10:49:51.791ZS-EPMC129174164114010410.1017/S0031182025101005