Comparison of hand-nets, biconical traps and an electric trap for sampling Glossina palpalis palpalis (Robineau-Desvoidy) and G. tachinoides Westwood (Diptera: Glossinidae) in Nigeria

Abstract

Catches of Glossina palpalis palpalis (R.-D.) and G. tachinoides Westw. at high and low densities with hand-nets, biconical traps and an electric back-pack trap in Nigeria indicate that 'both types of trap are inferior to hand catching for routine checks of G. palpalis and G. tachinoides populations. Hand catching is recommended as being most suitable for large-scale surveys, assessment of control following insecticide spraying and classical fly-rounds. The biconical trap is recommended for use in experiments of a limited size, monitoring of fly populations on livestock ranches and around Villages, and for capturing flies for dissection. The electric trap is recommended for use in sampling flies in areas of medium and high density and possibly for blood-meal identification. Some blood-meals of G. palpalis were identified.

Contribution to the distribution of Glossina (Diptera: Glossinidae) in Mali

“…Although villagers from surrounding areas have been cultivating, hunting and cutting down trees for firewood, thereby drastically altering the reserve, small pockets of G. m. submorsitans at low densities may still exist. Recently, Koch & Spielberger (1979) discussed the limitation of the biconical trap, our main survey tool, in detecting low densities of G. pa!pal is and G. tachinoides. This limitation may also apply to G. m. submorsitans because during the survey, there were instances when flies were caught by hand nets but not in traps.…”

Distribution of Glossina (Diptera: Glossinidae) in Mali

“…Since this species was readily captured by Challier-Laveissiere traps at sites with mod-erate to high density populations, it appears that this trap may be of limited efficiency in sampling low density populations of G. m. submorsitans and possibly G. longipalpis. Limitations of the trap in detecting low density populations of G. palpalis palpalis (Robineau-Desvoidy) and G. tachinoides have been discussed by Koch & Spielberger (1979).…”