Learning Influences Host Choice in Tsetse Flies
Author Information
Author(s): Jérémy Bouyer, Mathieu Pruvot, Zacharia Bengaly, Patrick M Guerin, Renaud Lancelot
Primary Institution: Centre de coopération internationale en recherche agronomique pour le développement (CIRAD)
Hypothesis
Does previous experience feeding on a host increase the probability that a tsetse fly will feed on the same species on a second feed?
Conclusion
The first host selected by tsetse flies for a blood meal can influence the host selected for the second meal when the interval between meals is 2 days.
Supporting Evidence
- Tsetse flies preferred to feed on cattle after having fed on cattle previously.
- The preference for host species was diminished when the time between meals was extended.
- Learning influences the host choice of tsetse flies, which has implications for disease transmission.
Takeaway
Tsetse flies remember which animal they fed on last, and this helps them choose the same type of animal for their next meal, but only if they don't wait too long to eat again.
Methodology
Experiments were conducted with cohorts of tsetse flies to observe their feeding preferences based on previous host encounters.
Limitations
Data are limited in terms of replication and other explanations for the observed behavior are possible.
Participant Demographics
Teneral male Glossina palpalis gambiensis flies from a laboratory population.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.03
Confidence Interval
(0.79; 0.92)
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website