Mechanism of host selection by tsetse flies

Abstract

Mobility of tsetse flies is influenced by various factors including the search for a blood-meal. Field observations on the feeding behaviour of tsetse are difficult. The use of bait animals for experimental purposes may indicate food sources but not host selection under natural conditions. Availability and density of a particular potential host species in a tsetse habitat can influence the feeding habit of the latter. Flies are capable of adapting to new host species in the absence of the usual ones. Host selection might be due principally to availability of host(s) and not based on true preference. Tsetse flies respond to visual stimuli from moving objects. Their shape, colour and size are important factors eliciting visual response. Whether these factors are distinguished separately or in combinations is not clear. Odour emanating from live hosts causes up-wind olfactory response towards the source(s), resulting in actual landing on test targets even when the hosts are out of sight. The components of odour have not been isolated. It is therefore doubtful if host selection can be associated with odour, as this might imply that tsetse can differentiate the odours of the different potential hosts. The difficulties in ascertaining true host selection by tsetse are discussed to stimulate further investigations.

Host Choice and Feeding Behaviours of Glossina morsitans Offspring Whose Parents Were Fed on Different Host Species

“…This can be explained by the variation in the level of hosts' attractiveness to the flies. Hosts' cues, such as the odour emanating from hosts' bodies, trigger fly-searching behaviours, while host shape, colour, and size determine their choice of specific host [20,26]. It is likely that rodents and rabbits had relatively larger bodies than squirrels and guinea pigs, which influenced their level of attractiveness to flies.…”

“…The feeding behaviours of tsetse flies are genetically determined [19,20]. They are mostly opportunistic feeders; however, in the absence of a preferred host, they adapt to feeding on available hosts [20].…”

“…The feeding behaviours of tsetse flies are genetically determined [19,20]. They are mostly opportunistic feeders; however, in the absence of a preferred host, they adapt to feeding on available hosts [20]. Their choice to feed on a specific host is influenced by multiple factors, such as the shape of the host, the colour of the host, odour emanation, the size of the host, and host availability [20,21].…”

“…They are mostly opportunistic feeders; however, in the absence of a preferred host, they adapt to feeding on available hosts [20]. Their choice to feed on a specific host is influenced by multiple factors, such as the shape of the host, the colour of the host, odour emanation, the size of the host, and host availability [20,21]. Understanding these and other behaviours is critical in designing and implementing surveillance and control strategies [15,16,22].…”

Host-Choice and Feeding Behaviour of <em>Glossina morsitans’</em> Offspring Whose Parents Were Fed on Different Host Species

“…The feeding behaviours of tsetseflies are genetically determined [20,21]. They are mostly opportunistic feeders, however in the absence of preferred host, they adapt to feeding on available host(s) [21].…”