Difference between revisions of "Glossinidae"

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==Identification==
 
==Identification==
*6-13mm long
+
TseTse flies are 6-13mm in length, and have long, prominent forward pointing proboscis.  They have a green thorax, and a yellow/brown abdomen.  The wings are a very characteristic 'butchers cleaver' shape.
  
*Prominent forward pointing proboscis
+
==Life cycle==
 
 
*Green thorax
 
 
 
*Yellow/brown abdomen
 
 
 
*Specific wing venation
 
**Closed cell 'butchers cleaver' shape
 
 
 
 
 
'''Life cycle'''
 
 
*Single larvae laid in shrubs
 
*Single larvae laid in shrubs
  

Revision as of 12:26, 16 July 2010

Also known as: TseTse flies

The only genus in the family Glossinidae is Glossina, more commonly known as TseTse flies. They are solely found in sub-Sahara Africa, and feed on the blood of vertebrates.

Glossinidae (Image sourced from Abb. aus Meyers Lexikon, Wikimedia Commons)

Scientific Classification

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Arthropoda
Class Insecta
Order Diptera
Superfamily Hippoboscoidea
Family Glossinidae
Genus Glossina

Identification

TseTse flies are 6-13mm in length, and have long, prominent forward pointing proboscis. They have a green thorax, and a yellow/brown abdomen. The wings are a very characteristic 'butchers cleaver' shape.

Life cycle

  • Single larvae laid in shrubs
  • Larvae wriggles into the soil to pupate
  • Adult fly emerges 1 month later
  • Life cycle take 2 months to complete


Pathogenesis

  • Painful, irritating bites
    • Both males and females suck blood
  • Transmit trypanosomes
    • Cause 'nagana' (wasting) disease in cattle and 'sleeping sickness' in humans


Control

  • Scrub clearance to remove resting sites
  • Localised eradication using baited traps
  • Sterile male insect release