New acquisitions on the sensory organs of glossina (Diptera, Glossinidae)

Abstract

A study performed on three tsetse fly species (Glossina tachinoides, G. morsitans morsitans and G. fuscipes fuscipes) using scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) brings new data on the morphology and location of some sensory organs of tsetse flies. Pictures illustrating morphology of proprioceptive hairs of the prothoracic organ are presented and for the first time the existence of hairs, probably mechanoreceptors, on the ptilinum, and chemoreceptors on the costal vein of the wings is indicated. This approach aims at better understanding of tsetse flies’ perception of the environment in order to improve the trapping technology.