Survey of Apparent Density of Tsetse and other Biting flies in Gimbi district, West Wollega, Western Ethiopia

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was carried out from March to May 2014 to determine an apparent density of the tsetse and other biting flies in selected peasant associations (PAs) of Gimbi district. The methods employed during the study were deploying trap for the collection of tsetse and other biting flies. Forty five traps were deployed for 48 hr for collection of tsetse fly. During this entomological survey, a total of 58 tsetse flies, 26 Stomoxys, 33 Tabanus and 2 Haematopota were caught from the three selected PAs during study period. The two major Glossina species captured in the study area were G. m. submorsitans (3.4 %) and G. tachinoides (96.6 %) in which relatively higher numbers of G. tachnoides were caught. Majority of collected of tsetse flies were females (1.5%) in which higher number is Glossina tachnoides as compared to G. m. sub. moristans. About 15 Tabanus and 18 Stomoxys were recorded in Tole PA, without the presence of tsetse flies. The absence of these flies in the area might be due to the time in which the survey was conducted. In Jogir PA, about one (1) G. m. sub moristans (female) and fifty six (56) G tachnoides (45 male and 11 females) were investigated. Totally, about fifty seven (57) tsetse flies were recorded this PA. The fly per trap per day in this PA was 1.9. Different biting flies such as Tabanus (10) and Stomoxys (1) were recorded in this PA. Only a single of female G. m. sub moristans with other biting flies like Tabanus (8), Stomoxys (17) and Heamatopota (2) were observed in Inango Denbeli. The overall apparent density of tsetse flies trapped was 0.965 flies/trap/day and male tsetse flies were foremost in number. Different apparent densities of tsetse flies were recorded in three villages or PAs (0 in Tole, 1.93 in Jogir and 0.03 in Inango Denbeli). Other biting flies caught were Stomoxys (22.2 %), Haematopota (4.4 %) and Tabanus (73.3 %). About 1.9 apparent densities for G. tachnoides and 0.03 densities for G. m. submorsitans were recorded in riverine and savanna vegetation types, respectively. Sexes of the tsetse flies were easily identified by enlarged hypophgeum in the posterior ventral part of the abdomen. However low density of tsetse flies was recorded, these flies are very important in transmitting trypanosomosis and other diseases to the animals in Gimbi district either biologically or mechanically. So, an appropriate tsetse control methods should be warranted to reach tsetse infested area in a sustainable manner to alleviate the problem in the area.