Assessment of the diversity of bloodsucking Diptera in a swampy forest clearing of Gabon with Vavoua and Nzi traps

Abstract

The study aimed to assess the diversity of bloodsucking insects in the swampy forest clearings (bai) of Gabon with both Vavoua and Nzi traps. Twenty traps (10 of each type) were set up within and around Momba bai for seven consecutive days in June 2012. In each of the two biotopes, five pairs of traps (one Vavoua and one Nzi spaced about 30 m apart) were set at 250–400 m intervals. A total of 662 tsetse, 42 tabanids and 20 stable flies were collected. Vavoua traps captured many tsetse and stable flies, whereas Nzi traps caught more tabanids. Because of the short duration of capture, we later on pursued the investigation on the relative importance of these insects and their seasonal dynamics.