Abstract
BackgroundHere we set out to standardize long-lasting, visually-attractive devices for Glossina swynnertoni, a vector of both human and animal trypanosomiasis in open savannah in Tanzania and Kenya, and in neighbouring conservation areas used by pastoralists. The goal was to determine the most practical device/material that would induce the strongest landing response in G. swynnertoni for use in area-wide population suppression of this fly with insecticide-impregnated devices.Methods and FindingsTrials were conducted in wet and dry seasons in the Serengeti and Maasai Mara to measure the performance of traps and targets of different sizes and colours, with and without chemical baits, at different population densities and under different environmental conditions. Adhesive film was used as a simple enumerator at these remote locations to compare trapping efficiencies of devices. Independent of season or presence of chemical baits, targets in phthalogen blue or turquoise blue cloth with adhesive film were the best devices for capturing G. swynnertoni in all situations, catching up to 19 times more flies than pyramidal traps. Baiting with chemicals did not affect the relative performance of devices. Fly landings were two times higher on 1 m2 blue-black targets as on pyramidal traps when equivalent areas of both were covered with adhesive film. Landings on 1 m2 blue-black targets were compared to those on smaller phthalogen blue 0.5 m2 all-blue or blue-black-blue cloth targets, and to landings on all-blue plastic 0.32–0.47 m2 leg panels painted in phthalogen blue. These smaller targets and leg panels captured equivalent numbers of G. swynnertoni per unit area as bigger targets.ConclusionsLeg panels and 0.5 m2 cloth targets show promise as cost effective devices for management of G. swynnertoni as they can be used for both control (insecticide-impregnated cloth) and for sampling (rigid plastic with insect glue or adhesive film) of populations.
Highlights
Glossina swynnertoni Austen (Diptera, Glossinidae) is restricted to open savannah in north-western Tanzania and south-western Kenya, extending from Tarangire in the south through Manyara to the Serengeti plains, and into the Maasai Mara in the north [1]
Leg panels and 0.5 m2 cloth targets show promise as cost effective devices for management of G. swynnertoni as they can be used for both control and for sampling of populations
Glossina swynnertoni is restricted to open savannah in north-western Tanzania and south-western Kenya, where it is a vector of both human and animal trypanosomiasis in wildlife reserves and in neighbouring conservation areas used by pastoralists
Summary
Glossina swynnertoni Austen (Diptera, Glossinidae) is restricted to open savannah in north-western Tanzania and south-western Kenya, extending from Tarangire in the south through Manyara to the Serengeti plains, and into the Maasai Mara in the north [1]. Swynnerton [2] found it at 900–1800 m above sea level and considered temperature, humidity, vegetation and the presence of wildlife as the key factors controlling its distribution. It is a vector of both human and animal trypanosomiasis in wildlife reserves and in neighbouring conservation areas used by pastoralists [3,4,5,6]. We set out to standardize long-lasting, visually-attractive devices for Glossina swynnertoni, a vector of both human and animal trypanosomiasis in open savannah in Tanzania and Kenya, and in neighbouring conservation areas used by pastoralists. The goal was to determine the most practical device/material that would induce the strongest landing response in G. swynnertoni for use in area-wide population suppression of this fly with insecticide-impregnated devices
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