The effect of host odour concentration on catches of tsetse flies (Glossinidae) and other Diptera in the field

Flies attracted to odours from 500 to 11 500 kg of livestock were captured using electrified netting in the Zambesi Valley, Rhodesia. Catches of male Glossina morsitans Westw., Tabanidae, Stomoxyinae and non-biting muscids reached maximum levels at odour concentrations produced by only 500-3500 kg of livestock but catches of females G. morsitans and both sexes of G. pallidipes Aust. increased over the whole range of concentrations tested. With the maximum dose of odour, up to 7100 tsetse were caught in 3 h. The proportion of tenerals in catches of Glossina was not affected by odour concentration. Daily catches of Glossina were positively correlated with daily maximum temperatures. The maintenance of large catches of flies for 60 days and the indication that larger catches are possible suggest the feasibility of employing odour-baited traps for tsetse control.