Storage time effect on blood diet for tsetse mass production in sterile insect technique

Abstract

Background & objectives: Different methods have been developed for tsetse and trypanosomiasis control oreradication but all these have their specific advantages and limitations. However, a combination of methodscould be used as part of an Area-wide Integrated Pest Management (AWPM). The sterile insect technique(SIT) as a technique of choice for eradication of tsetse flies requires mass production of flies in the laboratories.Since tsetses are exclusively haemotophogous insects, a quality blood diet is needed for maintenance of flieswith optimum production. The aim of this study was to establish the optimum storage time of blood diet fortsetse colonies.Methods: A total of 450 flies Glossina austeni were fed on different batches of blood (collected in 2004, 2005,2006, 2007 and 2008) three times a week. Pupae were collected daily and mortality checks were done onweekly basis. The quality of the blood diet was measured by observation of tsetse production parametersincluding survival, pupae production and size.Results: The survival of flies fed on 2004 and 2006 batches had lower survival compared to the rest of thebatches. Also the 2005 batch had a significant higher number of pupae compared to the production in othertreatments. The 2004 and 2005 batches had more of small pupae (class A & B) compared to the other batches.Interpretation & conclusion: There was a significant difference between the blood batches and the productionparameters were better in the last three years, i.e. 2008, 2007 and 2006. Therefore, this study recommendsthree years to be an optimum storage time for blood diet under regional conditions. Also the storage temperatureconditions should remain stable at –20ºC.

Keywords

• Blood quality
• bovine blood
• Glossina austeni
• mass rearing
• SIT
• storage tim