Studies on Populations of Glossina morsitans morsitans and G. pallidipes (Diptera: Glossinidae) in Rhodesia

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Abstract
Six methods were used to estimate the numbers and age structure of populations of G. morsitans and G. pallidipes in the hot dry season in the Zambezi Valley, Rhodesia. Estimates of population size were based on the Lincoln Index, inverse sampling, Zippin and probability of capture method from a 13.5 ha study area. The values for the populations and their associated standard errors were G. morsitans males 8099 (.+-. 1976); G. morsitans females 15,510 (.+-. 5359); G. pallidipes males 52,957 (.+-. 6295) and G. pallidipes females 167,613 (.+-. 19,335). Only 1.4% of the estimated teneral flies were caught. There was no indication of selective capture of either sex of species. It was calculated that a minimum of 8 buffalo or 25 kudu would be required in the study area to support the estimated tsetse population. Analysis of blood meals indicated that a wide range of hosts was available. The estimated mean age for female G. morsitans was 29.1 days and for G. pallidipes 48.0 days with maximum ages of 173 and 226 days, respectively. G. pallidipes females survived better than those of G. morsitans. Highest mortality of both species occurred in young flies. The mean age of male G. morsitans was estimated as 14.7 days and that of G. pallidipes was about the same. The ratio of males to females was 1:3.26 for G. pallidipes and 1:1.98 for G. morsitans.