Glossinidae

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

Hosts

Various mammals, reptiles and birds.

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

• Ground and aerial spraying with insecticides

• Localised eradication using baited traps
  • Dark coloured cloth
  • Synthetic cattle urine
  • Insecticide

• Sterile male insect release