The seasonal breeding rate of Glossina tachinoides Westwood (Diptera:Glossinidae) in peridomestic agroecosystems of the Nsukka area, Nigeria

Abstract

AbstractFemales of Glossina tachinoides Westwood captured three-hourly in biconical traps deployed from 16.30 to 18.30 h weekly in three peridomestic agroecosystems in southern Nigeria from April 1984 to March 1987, were dissected and classified as nulliparous, pregnant, aborted or parous-but-not-pregnant. In all three tsetse populations, the monthly pregnancy rate ranged from 76 to 94% and the abortion rate from 3 to 8% throughout the year. No seasonal or locational differences or evidence of seasonal increase, reduction or cessation in breeding were demonstrated. A significant difference between years with respect to monthly abortion rate during the wet season was possibly due to changes in vegetation structure which is dependent on crop types. It is concluded that the low population density and pattern of seasonal fluctuation in apparent density of G. tachinoides in these peridomestic agroecosystems are due to causes other than seasonal differences in its breeding rate.