—The efficacy of triflumuron was tested on three types of textiles (cotton, polyester and polypropylene) of two colours (blue and black) for application in self-sterilisation of Glossina palpalis gambiensis Vanderplank, 1949 (Diptera: Glossinidae). Three concentrations of triflumuron diluted with water to 3, 6 and 12 % were used to impregnate each type of cloth and two groups of tsetse flies were contaminated—females aged 20 days were directly contaminated by exposure to impregnated cloth; and younger females (3-days-old) were contaminated during the mating by males treated like old females. The blue and black-coloured cloths had no significant differences in terms of reproductive parameters (P<0.05). On the other hand the type of fabric and the concentration of triflumuron had significant effects on the efficacy of the product. Cotton and polypropylene, impregnated with triflumuron diluted to 6 and 12% respectively sterilised the old females on 5 consecutive reproductive cycles from normal pupa production. The two concentrations also sterilised the younger females on 3 consecutive reproductive cycles from pupal hatching. Polyester impregnated with the same concentrations sterilised the old females during the 3 first reproductive cycles after treatment and young females on 2 reproductive cycles.

Several tsetse control campaigns have been carried out in Senegal. During the 1970s a ground spraying campaign was carried out in the Niayes region (relic of Guinean forest infested with Glossina palpalis gambiensis, Vanderplank, 1949). At the beginning of the 1980s, the chemical control was strengthened by use of screens and biconical traps. As a result no fly has been caught in the region since 1983.

An assessment of the second method, done in Kolda (south of the country), has shown a reduction rate of 98% against G. palpalis gambiensis.

A comparison was made of the EAG responses of repleted males and females of Glossina palpalis gambiensis Vanderplank, G. tachinoides Westwood, G. fuscipes fuscipes Newstead, G. morsitans morsitans Westwood and G. austeni Newstead to the odour of various concentrations of acetone, 4-heptanone, 3-nonanone and l-octen-3-ol. The stimulatory effectiveness of these substances increased in the order: acetone < 4-heptanone < 3-nonanone < l-octen-3-ol. Amounts of acetone 103–104 times greater and of 4-heptanone and 3-nonanone 10–100 times greater than those of l-octen-3-ol were required to obtain similar EAG responses. These results are discussed in relation to the behavioural effects of the odours of these substances on tsetse in wind tunnel experiments in the laboratory and catching experiments in the field. In G. m. morsitans and G. tachinoides, the EAG responses of males were somewhat higher than those of females. In G. austeni, G. f. fuscipes and G. palpalis gambiensis, however, the reverse occurred. All species were equally tuned to the four odour substances, which indicates that these odours do not determine host specificity.

A study of the resting site preferences of Glossina palpalis gambiensis in an area of a gallery forest in the Northern Guinea Savanna of Mali, infested exclusively by G. p. gambiensis was conducted in February, 1980 (hot dry season). Five site-types were compared: fallen logs, boles, undergrowth, tree canopies and branches. Distribution of resting flies was as follows: fallen logs (55.62%), boles (35.24%), undergrowth (8.4%), tree canopies (0.61%) and branches (0.00%). Most of the flies were collected during the periods 06.00–09.00 (37.47%) and 09.00–12.00 hr (46.5%). On boles, 86.06% of flies were found below 1.0 m and no flies were collected above 2.0 m. These results are compared to those obtained during simultaneous studies on the resting site preferences of G. p. gambiensis in an area along the same gallery forest, with mixed G. p. gambiensis and G. morsitans submorsitans infestation. Possible reasons for the differences observed are discussed.

Studies on the resting site preferences of the tsetse, Glossina palpalis gambiensis Vanderplank, were conducted in a gallery forest in the Northern Guinea Savanna in Mali. Tanglefoot was used to trap flies alighting to rest on the various site-types investigated. Five site-types were observed: boles, fallen logs, undergrowth (‘bush’), branches and tree canopies. Observations were made in the warm rainy, warm dry and hot dry seasons.

Distribution of resting flies on site-types was significantly heterogenous in each of the seasons. More than 80% of flies collected in each of the three seasons were found on fallen logs. Generally, there was no significant difference in numbers found on the top or side of fallen logs. Boles were the next best preferred site-type. Approximately 90% of flies on boles were collected below 1.0 m and none was found above 2.0 m. Few flies were collected from the undergrowth (bushes), tree canopies and branches. Similarities and differences between results obtained from the present study with those of other workers are discussed. The importance of the results in ground insecticide control operation against this species is noted.