Life cycle of F. hepatica is complete and completed in two hosts. Primary host, in which the adult fluke lives, is sheep. While the intermediate host, in which numerous larval stages are passed, is a snail (Lymnaea, Planorbis, etc.). This type of life cycle, involving two different kinds of hosts, is termed digenetic.
Miracidium larva is the larval stage involved in life cycle. When suitable conditions become available, the encapsulated embryo, in 4-15 days, differentiates into a miracidium larva. It hatches out and swims in water. Metacercaria develops into adult fluke only inside its definitive host or sheep. The latter gets infection by grazing on leaves and grass blades to which the cysts are attached. Metacercaria survives action of host’s gastric juice as its cyst is insoluble in it. Cyst wall finally dissolves in proximal part of intestine and liberates the larva.