This review presents the results of studies on the freshwater snail-trematode associations, carriedout in Europe since the beginning of the 20th century. The great number of synonyms of snail and trematode specific names has made the cooperation between malacologists and parasitologists difficult. Here we providea survey of larval trematodes (cercariae) based on Central, North and Western European literature. Whenever possible, the valid species name is provided, accompanied by synonyms, or just provisional names are used making up the largest part of the list. Trematodes with a definitely unclear systematic status are indicated asspecies incertae sedis. These include mostly trematodes which were attributed obviously erroneous names with poor or no description of their morphology. Although the provisional names inflate the number of trematode species and there are still many identification problems, we believe that this is another step in assessing the trematode species composition in Europe which will help not only parasitologists but also malacologists and contribute to their closer cooperation.

The mostly lab-based studies on snail-trematode interactions should be complemented by research on naturally invaded hosts. In this mini-review, three different ways of snail exploitation by Digenea larvae are presented. Morphological, physiological and behavioral changes caused by three parasites in the same naturally infected host – Lymnaea stagnalis – differ in species-dependent fashion. The impact of a snail-trematode interaction depends on parasite virulence (i.e. parasite induced lost of fitness of the host). The pathogenicity varies with the survival strategy of the invader. Sporocyst-born Plagiorchis elegans, which uses the same Lymnaea stagnalis individual as a first but also as a second intermediate host, does not disturb host processes as strongly as redia-born Echinoparyphium aconiatum. The third parasite species – Diplostomum pseudospathaceum, also sporocyst-born – is more virulent than P. elegans, but it can modify and relax host exploitation to overwinter in the snail. The data presented demonstrate that successful use of first intermediate host can be arranged in different ways.