It infects cattle, bison, yak, reindeer, buffalo, moose, and sheep all over the world.
The mature roundworms are primarily present in the abdominal (peritoneal) cavity, but are capable of migrating to central nervous system causing serious neurological disease.
Setaria cervi shows sexual dimorphism as a typical roundworm.
Males can be distinguished from those of other species from showing horn-like lateral appendages and characteristic striated bands on the ventral side of the tail.
Once inside the gut of the insect, the larvae shed off their protective covering, a process called exsheathing.
Infective larvae are characterised by numerous projections called tubercles on the tail end.