DETERMINATION OF SEX AND SPECIES COMPOSITION OF TSETSE FLIES FROM SELECTED COMMUNITIES OF KAGARKO L.G.A. KADUNA STATE.

Tsetse flies are the exclusive biological vectors of African trypanosomes in Africa, which are estimated to cover about 80% of the country’s total area, hindering rearing of livestock and creating health risk to humans as well. This study was performed to determine the sex and species composition of tsetse flies from selected communities of Kagarko Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Sampling of flies was done using standard biconical traps according to the method of Challier and Larvessiere and were sorted into sex and species using morphological distinctions as described by Leak. The study was carried out for four (4) months, during which forty seven (47) tsetse flies were caught, 16 (34.04%) were male and 31(65.96%) were female and all forty seven (47) flies were members of the Glossina palpalis palpalis. The abundance of more female flies supports the fact that they live longer, go out more frequently in search of blood meal due to reproductive requirements and the presence of only Glossina palpalis palpalis implies that it is the dominant species, hence, transmission of trypanosomiasis as Glossina palpalis palpalis are the major vectors of trypanosomiasis in Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]