Tsetse Fly Glossina Morsitans Research Articles

Aspects of the development of flight musculature in the tsetse fly ( Glossina morsitans)

Journal Article Aspects of the development of flight musculature in the tsetse fly (Glossina morsitans) Get access E. Bursell, E. Bursell Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Ella Slack, Ella Slack Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar T. Kuwengwa T. Kuwengwa Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Transactions of The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Volume 66, Issue 2, 1972, Pages 319–320, https://doi.org/10.1016/0035-9203(72)90190-3 Published: 01 January 1972

Utilization of injected glucose by the tsetse fly ( Glossina) and the stable fly ( Stomoxys)

A massive dose of injected glucose was oxidized by the stable fly ( Stomoxys calcitrans) at a rate of 5·5 cal/hr per g and by the tsetse fly ( Glossina austeni and Glossina morsitans) at a rate of 3 cal/hr per g. This suggests that there are no distinct differences in the glycolytic pathways of these two flies.

Olfactory perception of live hosts and carbon dioxide by the tsetse fly Glossina morsitans orientalis Vanderplank

Laboratory investigations of olfactory perception in the tsetse fly Glossina morsitans orientalis Vanderplank, were carried out by measuring the modulation of the spontaneous rate of activity by sudden olfactory stimulation. Marked responses were obtained to emanations from guinea-pig, chick, crocodile and the human hand and forearm. Emanations from human skin despite the absence of expired carbon dioxide induced a strong response compared to the other host types. The stimulus was removed by rinsing the skin with acetone solvent. Air passed over material impregnated with human sweat and odour was ineffective. Responses to guinea-pig odour and guinea-pig expired air were approximately equal. Carbon dioxide was the important factor in expired air. The quantitative relationship between stimulus and response was non-linear, responses increasing with approximately exponential increases in stimulus intensity. The existence of an airborne sexual stimulus could not be demonstrated.

Survival and reproduction of Glossina morsitans Westw. in different types of cages exposed to variable and constant climatic conditions.

Investigations into the survival and breeding of the tsetse fly Glossina morsitans Westw. in large and small cage volumes under insectary and ambient climatic conditions in the Zambezi valley, and using oxen as host animals, are described. Under ambient conditions, flies emerging from puparia collected at Kariba, and held in the insectary, survived longer than flies emerging from puparia collected at Chirundu. Flies caught from the bush did not live as long as flies emerging from puparia held in the insectary, and generally lived longer under variable than under constant climatic conditions. The survival of ‘ wild ’ flies decreased during the hot, dry months under ambient conditions. Flies lived longer and were more reproductive in small cages than in large cages. Reproduction in small cages was higher when the flies were exposed to a variable climate instead of controlled conditions, but two colonies of ‘ wild ’ flies declined under both climatic conditions. Eeproduction was better in the small, standard cages (8 × 8 × 11 in.) than in Petana boxes, while Geigy 25’s were intermediate in this respect, but survival and mean puparial weights tended to be similar. The results show a complete failure to breed G. morsitans in large cages.

Observations on the Behaviour of Tsetse Flies (Glossina morsitans orientalis Vanderplank and G. pallidipes Austen) During an Attempt to Concentrate Breeding Around Cattle

Observations on the Behaviour of Tsetse Flies (Glossina morsitans orientalis Vanderplank and G. pallidipes Austen) During an Attempt to Concentrate Breeding Around Cattle

Gel electrophoresis of some dehydrogenases from flight muscles of tsetse flies ( Glossina morsitans) and houseflies ( Musca domestica)

1. 1. Dehydrogenases were visualized on agar gel after electrophoresis of solubel and particulate fractions (20,000 g) from flight muscles of tsetse flies ( Glossina morsitans) and houseflies ( Musca domestica Orlando). 2. 2. Pyrroline-5-carboxylate, glycero-3-phosphate, malate and glutamate dehydrogenases were demonstrated in the soluble fraction and succinate, glycero-3-phosphate, malate and proline dehydrogenases in the particulate fraction from both species. 3. 3. Proline dehydrogenase was much more active in tsetse flies than in houseflies, in line with Bursell's (1963, 1966) demonstration of proline asa major energy source in the former, while examination of similarities and differences among other dehydragenase activities did not further elucidate this feature of tsetse fly metabolism.

Factors affecting Blood Clotting from Salivary Glands and Crop of Glossina austeni

Lester and Lloyd1 described an enzyme in the tsetse flies Glossina morsitans and Glossina tachinoides which causes rapid coagulation of the blood meal, and results in the formation of a clot. They suggested that the function of this clot was to enable blood to be retained for assimilation. It was of interest, therefore, to examine these insects for their ability to lyse blood clots, especially because this kind of activity is known to occur in the blood-sucking Hemipterans Rhodnius prolixus2 and Eutriatoma maculatus3.

Oxaloacetic carboxylase in flight musculature of the tsetse fly

1. 1. A soluble enzyme catalysing the decarboxylation of oxaloacetic acid has been isolated from the thoracic musculature of the tsetse fly Glossina morsitans, Westwood. 2. 2. The properties of the enzyme differ markedly from those of similar enzymes in vertebrates; it is activated by Ca 2+, the pH optimum is 5·9 and its activity towards malate in the presence of TPN is relatively low. 3. 3. Tissue of the tsetse fly other than flight musculature show little enzymatic activity. 4. 4. The level of carboxylase activity in extracts of the flight muscles of a number of other insects was low. 5. 5. Enzymatic decarboxylation can be inhibited by low concentrations of ferrous and ferric salts; injection of such salts into the thorax of tsetse flies in concentration sufficient to cause 100 per cent inhibition of the enzyme brings about immediate and permanent immobilization of the insect.

The susceptibility of tsetse flies to topical applications of insecticides. VI.—Data on more chlorinated hydrocarbons and organophosphates, and a general discussion

Five insecticides (Thiodah, Bromodan, dimethoate, Dipterex (trichlorphon) and Sumithion) were applied topically in solution to young adults of the tsetse fly Glossina morsitans Westw. The toxicity of Thiodan (LD50 for males, 0·0012 µg.; for females, 0·0014 µg.) lay between that of Telodrin and dieldrin, and that of Bromodan (LD50 for both sexes combined, 0·0032 µg.) between that of dieldrin and γ BHC. Dimethoate, Dipterex and Sumithion were all less toxic than Baytex, but were not fully evaluated.Results recorded in this paper and earlier ones in this series, and those of workers using Musca domestica L., are discussed in an attempt to rationalise the search for new toxicants for tsetse flies. Chlorinated hydrocarbons fall into two classes, in both of which there is an approximate positive correlation between toxicity to Musca and to Glossina. One class, including Telodrin, Thiodan and Bromodan, is exceptionally toxic to tsetse and more than 40 times as toxic to Glossina as to Musca. These have a molecule with a particular type of nucleus (hexachloro-l,4-methano-cyclohexene) with a single bridged unsaturated ring. The more common chlorinated hydrocarbons (γ BHC, DDT and aldrin) are two to five times, and dieldrin 12 times, as toxic to G. morsitans as to M. domestica, and all are very toxic to both species.Among organophosphorus compounds there is very little correlation between toxicity to M. domestica and that to G. morsitans, but it appears probable that no compound of low toxicity to Musca (i.e., LD50 of the order of 0·5 µg.) would be likely to compete with those compounds already known to be most toxic to Glossina. Replacement of the nitro group on the benzene ring of Sumithion by a thiomethyl group, to form Baytex, increases toxicity to Glossina fivefold, but that to Musca by only one-fourth. There is less information on organocarbamates, and it may be a coincidence that 2-isopropoxyphenyl N-methylcarbamate, the most toxic of those tested on G. morsitans, was also most toxic to Musca.

A Survey Method of Trypanosome Infections in Glossina

THE incidence of trypanosome infections in wild populations of tsetse flies (Glossina morsitans West (Muscidae: Diptera)), varies from one locality to another, and seasonal changes also occur. The method hitherto used to determine infection-rates has been the dissection of samples of live flies as described by Lloyd and Johnson1. This has the disadvantage of requiring the establishment of a team of microscopists in the bush, so that examination of simultaneously collected samples over wide areas is difficult. The recognition of trypanosomes in the mouthparts of preserved wild Glossina is not possible because regurgitation of stomach contents, which may occur when the insect is placed alive in the preservative, renders many of them opaque.

Morphology of various strains of the trypanosome causing disease in man in Nyasaland.—The wild glossina morsitans strain

These strains were obtained by bringing tsetse flies ( Glossina morsitans ) to the laboratory from the neighbouring "fly-country" and at once allowing them to feed on healthy animals. The term "wild" is used to distinguish these caught flies form flies bred in the laboratory. The first strain was obtained by feeding the flies on a monkey, the remaining four by feeding on dogs. As soon as the healthy animal was found to be infected other animals were inoculated from it. But, as in the case of the Wild-game strains, only trypanosomes from a single rat were used for purposed of measurement and comparison.

Experiments to ascertain if Trypanosoma gambiense during its development within Glossina palpalis is infective

It will be remembered that the injection of chopped-up tsetse flies ( Glossina morsitans ) a short time after feeding on an infected animal, did not give rise to nagana. As this was thought to be an interesting fact, and difficult of explanation, experiments were carried out on the same lines with Trypanosoma gambiense and Glossina palpalis . It tsetse flies ( Glossina palpalis ) are fed upon an animal whose blood contains Trypanosoma gambiense , the trypanosomes can be found living within the intestines of some of the flies for several days after they were ingested. In a small percentage (0·5 to 2·0 per cent.) of flies so infected, active trypanosomes may be found swarming in their intestines on any day between the seventh and the fiftieth day, or even longer, after they have been fed upon an infected animal.