Responses of tsetse flies, Glossina morsitans morsitans and Glossina pallidipes, to baits of various size

• Recent studies of Palpalis group tsetse [Glossina fuscipes fuscipes (Diptera: Glossinidae) in Kenya] suggest that small (0.25 x 0.25 m) insecticide-treated targets will be more cost-effective than the larger (>= 1.0 x 1.0 m) designs currently used to control tsetse. Studies were undertaken in Zimbabwe to assess whether small targets are also more cost-effective for the Morsitans group tsetse, Glossina morsitans morsitans and Glossina pallidipes. Numbers of tsetse contacting targets of 0.25 x 0.25 m or 1.0 x 1.0 m, respectively, were estimated using arrangements of electrocuting grids which killed or stunned tsetse as they contacted the target. Catches of G. pallidipes and G. m. morsitans at small (0.25 x 0.25 m) targets were, respectively, similar to 1% and similar to 6% of catches at large (1.0 x 1.0 m) targets. Hence, the tsetse killed per unit area of target was greater for the larger than the smaller target, suggesting that small targets are not cost-effective for use against Morsitans group species. The results suggest that there is a fundamental difference in the host-orientated behaviour of Morsitans and Palpalis group tsetse and that the former are more responsive to host odours, whereas the latter seem highly responsive to visual stimuli.

Nyckelord

Glossina

attraction

baits

behaviour

odours

tsetse fly

visual responses

Zimbabwe

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