Effect of blood intake of Glossina austeni Newst. on pupal weights in successive reproductive cycles

Abstract

Ten fertilised female Glossina austeni Newst. reared from pupae with a weight range of 17–33 mg were maintained singly in small cages, and were offered food six days per week. The mean data for the flies were 151 days life span, 14–5 pupae per female and 25–4 mg pupal weight. One fly showed an abnormal digestive condition, and several failed to larviposit at the end of a cycle. The weight of pupae produced was related to the total amount of blood ingested in each normal cycle. A comparison between fertilised and virgin flies indicated that 50% of the blood ingested by the former was for pupal production. Large flies took larger blood-meals and fed less frequently than small flies.