TSETSE FLY (DIPTERA: GLOSSINIDAE) SPECIES COMPOSITION, AGE STRUCTURE AND SEASONAL ABUNDANCE ALONG ESIA RIVER IN ITIRIKWA SUBCOUNTY, ADJUMANI DISTRICT, NORTH WESTERN UGANDA
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Date
2024
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Abstract
Background: Tsetse flies are vectors of African trypanosomes that present a threat to animal and human health on the continent. Controlling the vector therefore has the potential to improve agricultural productivity and human health in large parts of the continent. However, vector control requires reliable data on the actual species of the vectors and their dynamics. This study investigated the species composition, seasonal abundance and age structure oftsetse vectors along Esia River in Itirikwa Sub County in Adjumani district, northwest Uganda. Methods: Tsetse surveys were conducted using biconical traps across 10 villages along Esia River in the dry (January 2023) and wet (May 2022) seasons. A total of 50 traps were deployed at a distance of at least 1 OOm apart along riverbanks in each village, and checked after 72 hours. Trapped tsetses were identified using morphological keys, and data on entomological parameter~ assessed for the seasons. Age structure determination was carried out using wing fray analyses of flies. Results: A total of 919· tsetse flies were captured (593 females and 326 males) in the 10 villages in both the dry and wet seasons. All the captured tsetse flies belonged to the G/ossina fuscipes fuscipes subspecies. Average for all sites combined in both seasons was 3.205 ±0.521 (Mean± SE) with significant variations between villages (p = 0.001). Zoka (5.04 FTD)
had the highest average fly abundance while the least was Lukwara ( 1.34 FTD). Generllly more flies were caught during the wet season (n=618; mean FTD 4.11) than dry season
(n=301; mean FTD = 2.225 ;p=0.031 ).Overall, the difference in FTDs between the different vegetation types was not significant (p=0.542) though woodland appeared to have slightly higher number of catches than the other two vegetation types (forest and grassland). Estimated ages of the tsetse for the different villages ranged from 22-29 days for the wet season and from 18-25 days for the dry season implying that there were more old flies during the wet than dry season. Conclusion and Recommendation Glossina fuscipes fuscipes is the main vector for African trypanosomiasis along Esia River, with variable fly densities across villages and seasons. Given the relatively high FTDs in the
area, regular surveillance and control should be instituted to reduce the incidence of African trypanosomiasis.
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Dramwi Mathias ( 2024). TSETSE FLY (DIPTERA: GLOSSINIDAE) SPECIES COMPOSITION, AGE STRUCTURE AND SEASONAL ABUNDANCE ALONG ESIA RIVER IN ITIRIKWA SUBCOUNTY, ADJUMANI DISTRICT, NORTH WESTERN UGANDA.