Studies on ovarian development in tsetse flies (Glossina, Diptera)

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Abstract
Five species of Glossina (G. morsitans, G. pallidipes, G. austeni, G. brevipalpis and G. palpalis) have ovaries containing two polytrophic ovarioles, each of which contains a single egg follicle. In all these species the right ovary is more highly developed than the left at emergence. This type of ovary is probably common to all species of Glossina.The development of the egg follicles in G. morsitans pupae is described. It is shown that the cycle of development whereby eggs are produced alternately from right and left ovaries is established during pupal development and that some yolk deposition has occurred in follicle A (right ovary) and follicle C (left ovary) before the fly emerges from the puparium.In G. morsitans, it is shown that the size of the egg follicles in newly emerged flies is correlated with the size (R.D.W.) of the fly, larger females having more yolk laid down in their follicles before emergence. This is probably correlated with the state of reserves in the fat body. It is also shown that there is a seasonal variation in follicle size in newly emerged flies, this variation is probably correlated with variations in temperature acting upon wild females during pregnancy and upon the pupae, as temperature is known to affect both size and fat content of wild tsetse flies.
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