Abstract 1. 1. Lipid distribution of Echinococcus multilocularis was as follows; neutral lipid 48.5%; glycolipid 8.4%; and phospholipid 43.0%. 2. 2. Neutral and phospholipid compositions were determined by high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) and densitometry. 3. 3. Major neutral lipids were cholesterol, triacylglycerides and to a certain extent steryl esters. 4. 4. Seven different phospholipids were identified, with the major components being phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine. 5. 5. Palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic were the major fatty acids of neutral and phospholipids.