A peridomestic population of the tsetse fly Glossina palpalis palpalis Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 (Diptera: Glossinidae) at Kontagora town, Niger state, Nigeria

Abstract

The present article considers some aspects of a peridomestic population of the tsetse fly Glossina palpalis palpalis Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 in Kontagora, Nigeria. This situation characterizes an abnormal behaviour of the vector, and it is of significant epidemiological importance. Data on the ecology of this species were collected in 1995 and 1999. The results indicated that the species exists during both dry and wet seasons; approximately 30.0% of the catches were gorged with blood giving a MHS of 2.4, indicating a well-nourished population. Dissection of inseminated pars indicated pregnancy rates of approximately 30.0% and 70.0% in the dry and wet seasons and the presence of all 4 stages of pregnancy, suggesting that breeding occurs at both seasons. Longevity of flies was approximately 16 days in dry season and 25 days in the wet season. Overall results indicated that vector/host contact was high and the fly population has adapted and actively breeding in the area. Trypanosome infection rates of 18.2% consist of 1 brucei-type and 5 vivax-type infections. The public health implications of the close proximity of the wild natural reservoir hosts of the human T. b. gambiense Dutton, 1902 parasites at the Kainji Wild Life park is discussed.