Behaviour of tsetse flies (Glossina) in host odour plumes in the field

ABSTRACT. In Zimbabwe, studies were made of the responses of Glossina pallidipes Austen and G.morsitans morsitans Westwood to artificial host odour using an incomplete ring of electrocuting nets. In a plume of synthetic host odour tsetse flew generally upwind, with 50–60% flying within 35^o of due upwind. More than 80% of tsetse flew at < 50 cm above ground level. Upon losing contact with odour they executed a reverse turn within about 2 m, and upon regaining contact they turned upwind. There were no clear differences in the responses of G.m.morsitans and G.pallidipes. Using electrocuting nets lying horizontally on the ground it was found that tsetse landed in the vicinity of the odour source, the propensity to land being greater for G.pallidipes than for G.m, morsitans , greater for immature than mature flies, and greater for males than females.