Factors Influencing the Staple Food of Tsetse Flies

Abstract

Collections of gorged Glossina swynnertoni and G. pallidipes were made by 2 methods at Shinyanga throughout a year, and gut contents identified serologically. In all months Suidae (warthog, bushpig) were the most important group of hosts. Active male G. swynnertoni (group corresponding to all previous collections) averaged about 76% Suidae; resting males about 80%, resting females about 90%, and both sexes of G. pallidipes about 94%. Although collections considered in previous work (Weitz and Glasgow 1956) were biased because they consisted of smears from active males only, it is now shown that conclusions reached are applicable to population of tsetse flies as a whole. To explain differences between various collections it seems necessary to postulate that tsetse flies exercise a definite preference for Suidae. Nevertheless, areas.are known when kudu, buffalo or hippopotamus appear to be more important than Suidae to G. morsitans.