Alighting and Feeding Behavior of Trypanosome-Transmitting Vectors on Cattle in Nigeria

Abstract

Vector control is important to effectively prevent trypanosomiasis. Therefore, alighting and feeding responses of trypanosome-transmitting vectors were conducted in Nigeria. The aim of this study was to assess the landing preference, level of fly annoyance on cattle, and feeding behavior by direct observation of cows, bulls, and calves. The percentage of Glossina species, Tabanus species, and stomoxyine that fed on cattle blood after landing varied according to the age and sex of the cattle host. Although most flies left the cattle host before completing their meal because of host defensive behaviors, an average of 78, 19.6, and 10.2% of Glossina, Tabanus, and stomoxyines, respectively, were fully engorged. The longest mean feeding time was observed in Glossina. Over more than 90% of Glossina spp. landed on the belly and legs. Most Tabanus spp. (85%) also landed on the belly and legs while Tabanus par Walker (Diptera: Tabanidae) often landed on the back (45%). Half of Stomoxys species landed on the head and neck. Vector flies' feeding success varied according to cattle host age and was negatively correlated with defensive host behaviors and apparent fly density. Hence, fly defensive behaviors contribute to trypanosomiasis dynamics in a cattle herd, and expended energy from defensive behaviors could adversely affect productivity.

Mathematical modelling and control of African animal trypanosomosis with interacting populations in West Africa—Could biting flies be important in main taining the disease endemicity?

“…All these flies had their bloodmeals from either humans, cattle or wildlife. The wildlife observed from the bloodmeals of tsetse and biting flies included giraffe, hippopotamus, gazelle, spotted hyena and long-tailed rat [32]. However, the absence of T. b. gambiense in both cattle and humans in the study sites fits our predictive model.…”

“…This could be attributed to the number of livestock, management practices, manpower and density of flies. The insecticide used on cattle needs to be confirmed as acceptable to the national veterinary authorities to avoid insecticidal resistance and fly persistence, especially in biting flies [32]. It is expected that infected tsetse population would reduce due to the insecticide treatment, rather than the tsetse becoming infected through feeding.…”

“…The values from these experiments were computed as parameters in the model. The landing preference of tsetse flies and biting flies on cattle suggests that insecticidal application methods can improve the control strategy [32,33].…”

Towards a practical trap for deer flies (Diptera: Tabanidae): initial tests of a bi-level Nzi trap

“…Behavioural data from wind tunnels on how other biting Diptera orient towards objects (Gurba et al 2012) could be explored for further design insights, but similar insights from the field are few (Phelps and Vale 1976; McElligott and McIver 1987). This makes it difficult to speculate on attraction distances and close-range behaviour of tabanids towards artificial objects versus hosts (Phelps and Holloway 1990; Hribar et al 1992; Muzari et al 2010; Odeniran and Ademola 2018).…”