Genes of the bovine lungworm Dictyocaulus viviparus associated with transition from pasture to parasitism

► Identification of genes associated either with free-living or parasitic life. ► First study providing transcripts of D. viviparus L5 compared to L3. ► Parasitic L5 upregulate transcription of different specific proteases. ► Identified proteases may drive development and enable parasite survival in the host. ► Developmentally arrested L3 show a very tight range of upregulated genes.