Field studies on irradiated Glossina morsitans morsitans Westwood (Diptera: Glossinidae) from a colony maintained on a Membrane-Feeding regimen

Abstract

AbstractIn a field study in eastern Tanzania, the behaviour of 4167 males and females of Glossina morsitans morsitans Westw. from a colony fed on equine blood through artificial membranes (Seibersdorf flies) was compared to that of 4065 flies from a colony fed on goats or rabbits (Tanga flies). All flies had been treated with 11·8 krad γ-irradiation, a sterilising does, in the late puparial stage in a saturated nitrogen atmosphere. Recapture rates were 5·66% for Seibersdorf and 4·50% for Tanga flies. Only 57% as many Tanga females were recaptured as compared to Seibersdorf females, but the Tanga females had a higher insemination rate. The age-distribution and dispersal of the recaptured flies of the males of both groups and of the females were similar. Laboratory studies showed that although there were no marked differences in fat reserves between males of the Tanga and the Seibersdorf strains, the Seibersdorf females had significantly more fat than the Tanga females.