Acoustic emissions of tsetse

Saini, R. K.

doi:10.1017/s1742758400008638

Cited by 3 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Tsetse (Diptera: Glossinidae) - The tsetse fly, Glossina spp, is the vector of trypanosomes that are the causative agent of sleeping sickness in humans and nagana in cattle in Africa. The name “tsetse” is in fact an onomatopoeic word for the characteristic buzzing the flies make ( Saini 1984 ). Many different sounds are produced by tsetse in various contexts that have been described as singing, buzzing, squeaking or pinging ( Saini 1984 ).…”

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“…The name “tsetse” is in fact an onomatopoeic word for the characteristic buzzing the flies make ( Saini 1984 ). Many different sounds are produced by tsetse in various contexts that have been described as singing, buzzing, squeaking or pinging ( Saini 1984 ). During sound production, flies vibrate their wings, but the sound is actually produced by the axillary wing sclerites of the wing junction since removing the wings does not prevent sound production ( Popham et al 1978 ).…”

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“…They can be produced up to 30 min after a blood meal, even if the host is removed ( Popham et al 1978 , Saini 1983 ). Post-feeding sounds have been described for G. m. morsitans , Glossina morsitans orientalis , Glossina palpalis , Glossina austeni , Glossina tachinoides and Glossina brevipalpis and show distinct species-specific patterns ( Saini 1984 ). The sound is received by the antennal flagellum and induces unfed flies to become mobile and unsheathe their proboscis, but only when species-specific song is heard ( Popham et al.…”

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Acoustic communication in insect disease vectors

Vigoder

Ritchie

Gibson

et al. 2013

Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz

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Acoustic signalling has been extensively studied in insect species, which has led to a better understanding of sexual communication, sexual selection and modes of speciation. The significance of acoustic signals for a blood-sucking insect was first reported in the XIX century by Christopher Johnston, studying the hearing organs of mosquitoes, but has received relatively little attention in other disease vectors until recently. Acoustic signals are often associated with mating behaviour and sexual selection and changes in signalling can lead to rapid evolutionary divergence and may ultimately contribute to the process of speciation. Songs can also have implications for the success of novel methods of disease control such as determining the mating competitiveness of modified insects used for mass-release control programs. Species-specific sound “signatures” may help identify incipient species within species complexes that may be of epidemiological significance, e.g. of higher vectorial capacity, thereby enabling the application of more focussed control measures to optimise the reduction of pathogen transmission. Although the study of acoustic communication in insect vectors has been relatively limited, this review of research demonstrates their value as models for understanding both the functional and evolutionary significance of acoustic communication in insects.

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Acoustic communication in insect disease vectors

Vigoder

Ritchie

Gibson

et al. 2013

Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz

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“…The diversity of sounds, which tsetse flies encounter in their natural environment, is largely unknown. Interestingly, several species of tsetse flies are documented to produce harmonic sounds with a broad frequency range that in G. morsitans includes peaks at 0.8-1 kHz, 1-2 kHz, 5 kHz and 8 kHz (Saini, 1983b). The sounds are produced by both sexes and have been associated with virtually all known tsetse fly behaviours, making it difficult to ascribe them a function.…”

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Hearing in tsetse flies? Morphology and mechanics of a putative auditory organ

Tuck

Windmill

Robert

2008

Bull. Entomol. Res.

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Tympanal hearing organs are widely used by insects to detect sound pressure. Such ears are relatively uncommon in the order Diptera, having only been reported in two families thus far. This study describes the general anatomical organization and experimentally examines the mechanical resonant properties of an unusual membranous structure situated on the ventral prothorax of the tsetse fly, Glossina morsitans (Diptera: Glossinidae). Anatomically, the prosternal membrane is backed by an air filled chamber and attaches to a pair of sensory chordotonal organs. Mechanically, the membrane shows a broad resonance around 5.3-7.2 kHz. Unlike previously reported dipteran tympana, a directional response to sound was not found in G. morsitans. Collectively, the morphology, the resonant properties and acoustic sensitivity of the tsetse prothorax are consistent with those of the tympanal hearing organs in Ormia sp. and Emblemasoma sp. (Tachinidae and Sarcophagidae). The production of sound by several species of tsetse flies has been repeatedly documented. Yet, clear behavioural evidence for acoustic behaviour is sparse and inconclusive. Together with sound production, the presence of an ear-like structure raises the enticing possibility of auditory communication in tsetse flies and renews interest in the sensory biology of these medically important insects.

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