Olfaction in Glossina – host interactions: a tale of two tsetse

Torr, Steve J. and Solano, Philippe (2010) Olfaction in Glossina – host interactions: a tale of two tsetse. In: Olfaction in vector-host interactions. Ecology and Control of Vector-borne Diseases, 2 . Wageningen Academic Publishers, Wageningen, The Netherlands, pp. 265-290. ISBN 9789086860913

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Abstract

The role of olfaction in the host-oriented behaviour of tsetse is reviewed. For all tsetse, odours play a role in host location but the relative importance of olfactory stimuli varies between species. For Morsitans-group tsetse such as Glossina pallidipes and G. m. morsitans, host odours elicit longrange (~100 m) orientation whereas Palpalis group species such as G. palpalis spp. And G. fuscipes spp. while showing significant olfactory responses, are much less responsive. Hence baiting traps with natural host odours can increase the catch of some Morsitans tsetse ten-fold compared to only a doubling with Palpalis tsetse. Species that are less sensitive to odours seem to be more responsive to visual stimuli. The semiochemicals present in host odours include carbon dioxide, 1-octen-3-ol, acetone, butanone, 4-methylphenol and 3-n-propylphenol. For Morsitans tsetse, odours from hosts are not, in general, significantly different from those of non-hosts and thus olfaction does not seem to play an important role in host selection. The notable exception to this is human odour which is repellent to some species of Morsitans tsetse. Traps and insecticide-treated targets baited with blend of 1-octenol-3-ol, ketones and phenols are, arguably, the most successful application of artificial baits to vector control worldwide. The current use and future prospects of using natural and artificial baits to control tsetse are discussed.

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