Local variation in the population dynamics of Glossina palpalis palpalis (Robineau-Desvoidy) (Diptera: Glossinidae). I. Natural population regulation

Abstract

Based on data collected during regular, biconical trap sampling of Glossina palpalis palpalis (R.-D.) over two and a half years during and after two insecticide programmes in Ivory Coast, various analytical techniques were developed which allow the estimation of mortality rates and life-time fertility from ovarian age distributions of female flies. Data from trapping-out experiments were used to calculate the natural resilience of local populations. The results reveal that the dynamics of the populations showed considerable local variation, with two major types of sites. At those sites with large numbers of domestic pigs, the fly population was dense and showed a high degree of natural resilience and a low mean mortality rate, so that it could be selfsustaining through reproduction alone. At sites with few pigs, the fly population was scarce and showed a lower degree of natural resilience and a higher mean mortality rate such that the population could only be maintained by continuous input of immigrant flies. Studies of the natural dynamics of tsetse can be used to predict the likely effectiveness of alternative control schemes; fly mortality rates must be permanently increased in order to reduce fly numbers or infection rates to below some threshold for disease transmission.