Olfactory responses of Glossina fuscipes fuscipes (Diptera: Glossinidae) to the monitor lizard Varanus niloticus niloticus

Abstract

AbstractVisual and olfactory responses of Glossina fuscipes fuscipes Newstead to the monitor lizard, Varanus niloticus niloticus Laurenti were studied using various catching devices near Lake Victoria, Kenya. Electric nets baited with visible lizards caught more males (×2.1) and significantly more females (×2.0) than unbaited nets. Lizards concealed in electrified black PVC pipe models, simulating the shape and size of a monitor lizard, increased significantly the catches of tsetse by 2.1 times. Fresh lizard urine dispensed at an evaporation rate of 500 to 1000 mg/h also increased significantly the catches of flies at biconical traps, electrified models and electric nets. Identification of chemical constituents of the odour could improve monitoring and control strategies for G. f. fuscipes, and possibly for other palpalis tsetse species.