Article
Biology
Andrea K. Adden, Lee R. Haines, Alvaro Acosta-Serrano, Lucia L. Prieto-Godino
Summary: Tsetse flies have a significant impact on public health and economic development in sub-Saharan African countries due to the transmission of African trypanosomiasis. Laboratory studies previously suggested that a possible larval pheromone attracted gravid female flies to appropriate birthing sites. However, field experiments did not support this attraction. Naturalistic laboratory experiments mimicking wild conditions revealed that the flies were not attracted to the putative pheromone or pupae in the soil, but rather chose birthing sites based on environmental substrate cues.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Caroline K. Mirieri, Adly M. M. Abd-Alla, Vera I. D. Ros, Monique M. van Oers
Summary: The study found that irradiation treatment did not significantly affect the densities of the two viruses in tsetse flies, indicating that these viruses are relatively resistant to radiation even at higher doses. However, further observations are needed to determine the impact of sterilization treatment on the densities of these insect viruses.
Article
Parasitology
Lassane Percoma, Jean Baptiste Rayaisse, Geoffrey Gimonneau, Zakaria Bengaly, Sie Hermann Pooda, Soumaila Pagabeleguem, Rasmane Ganaba, Adama Sow, Rafael Argiles, Jeremy Bouyer, Moussa Ouedraogo, Weining Zhao, Massimo Paone, Issa Sidibe, Ouedraogo-Sanon Gisele, Giuliano Cecchi
Summary: This study assembled and organized tsetse and AAT data collected in Burkina Faso between 1990 and 2019, creating a digital repository. The distribution of tsetse flies was mapped at the level of individual monitoring traps or locations, while the occurrence of AAT was mapped at the level of locations or villages. Results showed the presence of four tsetse species in Burkina Faso, with Glossina tachinoides being the most widespread and abundant species. AAT was found in all surveyed departments, including tsetse-free areas in the north, with Trypanosoma vivax and T. congolense infections being the dominant ones.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Miguel Medina Munoz, Caitlyn Brenner, Dylan Richmond, Noah Spencer, Rita V. M. Rio
Summary: The transcriptomic analysis of tsetse flies revealed significant differences in gene expression between species, particularly in Wigglesworthia which may reflect differences in host co-evolution and adaptation. These differences could contribute to the variations in vector competence between tsetse species and provide insights for novel vector control strategies.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Dylan C. Geldenhuys, Shane H. Josias, Willie Brink, Mulanga H. Makhubele, Cang Hui, Pietro H. Landi, Jeremy Bingham, John H. Hargrove, Marijn Hazelbag
Summary: We have successfully developed a method for automatically positioning landmarks on tsetse wings, enabling morphometric analysis of tsetse populations and providing a starting point for studying the wings of other insect species.
PLOS COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Cornelius Mweempwa, Kalinga Chilongo, Kyoko Hayashida, Boniface Namangala
Summary: This study found that female tsetse flies have a higher prevalence of trypanosomes compared to males, possibly due to their larger body size. Wing length was identified as an important predictor variable for trypanosome prevalence in Glossina morsitans morsitans, but further population data analysis is needed to confirm this hypothesis.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Kalinga Chilongo, Tawanda Manyangadze, Samson Mukaratirwa
Summary: The impact of human settlements on tsetse populations depends on distance; the further away from human settlements, the better the body size and physiological condition of tsetse flies.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Physiology
Paul O. Mireji, Clarence M. Mangera, Billiah K. Bwana, Ahmed Hassanali
Summary: Tsetse-transmitted trypanosomiases are neglected tropical diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa. Artificial bait technologies have been successfully used to reduce tsetse populations, and repellent-odor-based protection of livestock has been developed. The optimized attractant and repellent blends lay down useful groundwork for future development of tsetse fly control interventions.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Entomology
J. W. Hargrove, G. A. Vale
Summary: A deterministic model was used to assess the impact of different modes of density dependence on the dispersal efficacy of tsetse flies. The study found that negative density-dependent dispersal poses a risk only under highly unlikely circumstances.
MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Elisha B. Are, John W. Hargrove, Jonathan Dushoff
Summary: Research on extinction probabilities in insect populations has become more important as insect populations decline. A new model was developed to understand the impact of different life stages on extinction probabilities, revealing a simple relationship pattern. These results offer new insights into insect population dynamics and modeling tools.
BULLETIN OF MATHEMATICAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kaia J. Tombak, Andrew S. Gersick, Lily Reisinger, Brenda Larison, Daniel Rubenstein
Summary: The hypothesis that zebras have stripes to repel biting flies is well-supported. However, the mechanism behind this effect is still unknown. Field experiments in Kenya confirmed that zebra stripes repel flies at close range, but also revealed that interspecific variation in stripe width is associated with factors other than biting flies.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Fabian Gstottenmayer, Percy Moyaba, Montse Rodriguez, Fernando C. Mulandane, Hermogenes N. Mucache, Luis Neves, Chantel De Beer, Sophie Ravel, Thierry De Meeus, Robert L. Mach, Marc J. B. Vreysen, Adly M. M. Abd-Alla
Summary: Tsetse flies, the vectors of African trypanosomes, play a crucial role in both medical and economic aspects, and also pose a hindrance to Africa's development. It is important to understand the population structure and gene flow of the target vector in order to develop effective management strategies. In this study, suitable microsatellite markers were identified in the genome of G. brevipalpis, which will contribute to a better understanding of its population biology and assessing gene flow between populations. This information will aid in the development of appropriate strategies, such as the sterile insect technique, to manage tsetse populations and address trypanosomoses effectively.
Article
Entomology
J. W. Hargrove, J. Van Sickle
Summary: Between 1990 and 1999, female G. pallidipes were dissected in Zimbabwe to determine their ovarian category and trypanosome infection status. Statistical models using SEI and SI compartmental models were better than a published catalytic model. T. vivax and T. congolense infection rates were not significantly different. The dominant role in the epidemiology of T. congolense infections in G. pallidipes is played by post-teneral feeds rather than the first feed.
BULLETIN OF ENTOMOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mehmet Zahit Yeken, Orkun Emiralioglu, Vahdettin Ciftci, Harun Bayraktar, Gulsum Palacioglu, Goksel Ozer
Summary: Molecular studies using SCoT markers were conducted to investigate the genetic diversity of common bean accessions. The results revealed a high level of genetic diversity within populations and showed that the clustering analysis was consistent with the geographical origin of the accessions, providing valuable information for breeders.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Lelania Bilodeau
Summary: High levels of genetic diversity are important for the success of breeding programs. A study on Russian honey bees, a selectively bred stock, showed that genetic diversity parameters remained consistent over time and among breeding blocks. However, the 2020 population showed distinct genetic differences compared to the populations in 2014 and 2017, indicating changes made to the breeding program. Genetic distance relationships supported this differentiation.
JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)