Mating and Fecundity of Two Populations of Glossina Fuscipes Fuscipes Newstead (Diptera: Glossinidae).
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Date
2011
Authors
Otieno, S.A.
Saini, R. K.
Oguge, N. O.
Sharma, R.R.
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Abstract
Glossina fuscipes fuscipes Newstead is one of the major vectors of human
trypanosomosis that seriously hampers economic growth infested areas. Large numbers
of tsetse flies are required for the sterile male technique and research. Yet attempts to
colonize this species in the laboratory in many instances have not been effective. The
mating behaviour of Glossina fuscipes fuscipes Newstead (Diptera: Glossinidae) from
Rusinga Island, Kenya, was studied in the laboratory with the aim of determining
factors that affect their reproductive performance. Their performance was compared
with that of a population from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in
Seibersdorf, Austria, that originated from Central African Republic 9C.A.R). Single
mating showed that females from the C.A.R. population were more receptive compared
to the Rusinga population. In the Rusinga population, young females aged one to two
days post-emergence were most receptive and had higher spermathecal values
compared to older females while in the C.A.R. population, these two parameters were
high irrespective or age. The mean spermathecal values and fecundity of females given
chance to mate with males more than once was statistically similar to those that mated
once. Fecundity was lower in the Rusinga population compared to the C.A.R. one, and
was independent of age and mating regime. Blood meal indices and pupal weights
were also lower for the Rusinga population compared to the C.A.R. population. It is
concluded that the mating behaviour of the Rusinga population of Glossina fuscipes
fuscipes differs from that of C.A.R. and the former may require a longer time to
establish in the laboratory than was provided for in the current study.
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Keywords
Glossina fuscipes fuscipes, Receptivity, Insemination, Blood meal index, Fecundity, Mating behaviour