A study was carried out for four years in the forest area of Daloa in Côte d'Ivoire to assess the rate of trypanosome infection in tsetse, and thereby the trypanosomiasis infection risk. In different Glossina biotopes, 18,908 Glossina palpalis palpalis were caught with Vavoua traps and were dissected. The most widespread species of trypanosomes infecting the Glossina was Trypanosoma congolense (7.63%) followed by T. vivax (4.50%). Trypanosoma brucei, the trypanosome responsible for animal and human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), was found only in 34 of the tsetse flies collected, and it had a very low infection rate (0.18%). Although infected tsetse flies were captured in all habitats examined, the infection rate was relatively higher along footpaths (0.44%), in farms (0.20%) and around forested water springs (0.27%) compared to the edge of villages (0.06%) and forest borders (0.05%). Among the 34 tsetse flies infected with T. brucei, only 0.05% had parasites exclusively in their salivary glands. Our results suggest that footpaths, plantations of coffee and cocoa and forested water springs are potential biotopes where the risk of infection by T. brucei is most important. The anthropophily of Glossina associated with the high number of parasites in these sites could be the reason for the disease is endemic in Daloa today. In our study, female Glossina were infected more frequently with trypanosomes (0.14%) than males (0.04%) and generally, females lived longer than males. It is likely that the longevity of females, which carry parasites, is the major cause for the endemicity of HAT in this locality.

A two-year survey was undertaken to determine the trypanosomosis risk of Egbe, a town in Kogi state of Nigeria, and its suitability for cattle raising. Tsetse flies were trapped using biconical traps and examined for trypanosome infection, and blood samples from cattle and goats were examined by blood film and haematocrit centrifugation technique (HCT) for trypanosome parasites. No infection was detected from the 152 Glossina palpalis palpalis and 52 G. tachinoides dissected over the period. Blood film examination of 181 cattle and 14 goats also gave negative results. Examination by HCT of 21 cattle from a local abattoir showed 14.3% Trypanosoma vivax infection, but the 10 resident cattle and 14 goats similarly examined were negative. The average age of the caught flies, determined by mean wing fray values (for males) and ovarian analysis (for females), was between 11 and 14 days, which is too low to sustain an infective population. Coupled with the absence of G. morsitans submorsitans, the most important vector of animal trypanosomosis in Nigeria, and the disappearance of large game from Egbe, our results would point to the area being a low trypanosomosis risk one.

Various trap designs were tested in Congo in order to assess their cost vs. effectiveness for the control of human trypanosomiasis vectors. These preliminary trials indicated that it is necessary to compare the different trap designs in several African countries. Furthermore, studies on the attractiveness of locally available fabrics must be carried out in order to make traps taking into account the sizes of locally available fabrics. At present, the ‘Vavoua’ trap is sail the most efficient but further investigations need to be carried out to reduce the cost of new traps without significantly affecting their efficiency. The ‘black/blue/black’ screen can be used successfully by rural communities in Congo for tsetse control.

The diurnal resting sites of Glossina palpalis palpalis were studied from October 1981 to December 1982 in the human trypanosomiasis focus at Bouafle (Ivory Coast). A total of 1382 resting tsetse (970 males and 412 females), were found after 757 hr of search in their natural habitats.

At any season, over 80% of the flies were resting on lianas (Acacia pennata in particular), on coffee trees (Coffea indica) and on Eupatorium odoratum.

Almost all the flies showed a preference for resting on the underside of woody parts of plants selected. The heights of the resting sites ranged from 10 cm to 2.5 m above the ground and their diameters ranged from 0.1 cm to 8 cm. It must be stressed that both in the dry and in the rainy seasons, more than 50% of the flies rested below 50 cm from the ground and over 90% of these favoured stems and branches measuring less than 3 cm in dia.

In the vegetation surrounding villages or along the main access roads and bush pathways, G. p. palpalis were found resting at 1 m to 5 m from the edge of its vegetation habitat.

About 27% of flies were engorged or showed at least red blood meals in their guts. The catching of resting flies therefore, appears to be an excellent way of collecting fresh blood meals for identification of the natural vertebrate hosts of G. p. palpalis in the study area.

The practical interest of the study is discussed and recommendations made for the selective application of residual insecticides in the tsetse habitats to control the vectors of sleeping sickness in the Bouafle focus.

The line of contact between G. p. palpalis and G. f. quanzensis passes near Brazzaville, at the south and southwest of the Congolese capital. Observations made between 1948 and 1961 show the advance of G. p. palpalis towards Brazzaville, along the Djoué Valley and the Congo River. Recent captures confirm this spectacular advance of G. p. palpalis to the detriment of G. f. quanzensis along the Djoué Valley. Indeed, G. f. quanzensis is no longer found in a distance of 20 km where it used to co-exist with G. p. palpalis. Ecological competition for food or habitat thus occurs between these two closely related species. It is suggested that both heterospecific copulations and demographic pressure play a crucial part in the exclusion.

Ground spraying trials involving three synthetic pyrethroids: OMS 2012 (BAY FCR 1272, cyfluthrin) w.p. 10%, OMS 2013 (BAY NAK 1654, fenfluthrin) w.p. 5%, OMS 3004 (WL 85871, alphamethrin) w.p. 5%, were carried out in January 1984 against G. palpalis palpalis and G. tachinoides in the Bouaflé human trypanosomiasis focus, Ivory Coast. Two dosages of each formulation were tested as residual spray: 12 g of active ingredient (a.i.) per hectare at a concentration of 0.016% and 48 g (a.i.)/ha at 0.064%, The insecticide was applied by means of the atomiser SOLO PORT 423 and the total area treated was estimated at 29 ha. The results were evaluated during 5 months with Challier—Laveissière biconical traps.

OMS 2013 w.p. 5% at 12 g (a.i.)/ha, had unsatisfactory effect on G. palpalis palpalis and G. tachinoides from the first month after spray. At 48 g (a.i.)/ha this formulation showed a moderate effect on both vectors during the first 3 months after treatment, rate of reduction in apparent density by trapping (A.D.T.) varying between 70 and 90%.

OMS 2012 w.p. 10% at 48 g (a.i.)/ha gave satisfactory results, 92% reduction in A.D.T. of G. p. palpalis during the first 3 months after treatment. OMS 2012 w.p. 10% at 12 g (a.i.)/ha gave 94% reduction in A.D.T. of G. tachinoides during the first 2 months after treatment. At the dosage of 48 g (a.i.)/ha, 97% reduction in A.D.T. of G. tachinoides was recorded through the evaluation period.

OMS 3004 w.p. 5% at 12 g (a.i.)/ha, gave 97% reduction in A.D.T. of G. palpalis palpalis during the first 3 months after treatment. At 48 g (a.i.)/ha, 91–98% reduction in apparent density of G. p. palpalis was achieved during the period of evaluation. The effect of this formulation at 12 g (a.i.)/ha on G. tachinoides, was very pronounced during the first 3 months after treatment, being 99% reduction in A.D.T. At 48 g (a.i.)/ha, 100% reduction was obtained during the first 4 months and more than 99% reduction in 5 months after spray.

Ground spraying trials involving a new formulation of synthetic pyrethroid, alphamethrin (OMS 3004, WL 85 871) e.c. 10% were carried out in January 1983 against G. palpalis palpalis in the Bouaflé human trypanosomiasis focus, Ivory Coast. Four dosages were tested in five localities: 12 g of active ingredient (a.i.) per hectare; 24, 36 and 48 g (a.i.)/ha. Each dosage was applied once as a residual spray. The atomiser SOLO PORT 423 was used for spraying and the total area treated was estimated at 20 ha.

The results were evaluated with Challier-Laveissière biconical traps. The knock-down and short term effects of the insecticide were very satisfactory, 96–100% reduction in apparent density of the vector obtained with all the four dosages applied during the first 2 months after treatment.

Three to five months after spraying, more than 98% reduction in apparent density of G. palpalis palpalis was achieved even with the lowest dosage of 12 g (a.i.)/ha. The highest dosages tested did not seem to increase the persistence of the insecticide nor the mortality rate of the vector in the study area.

Due to adverse side effects on man at high dosages during and after treatment, it is recommended that in residual ground spraying, alphamethrin e.c. 10% be applied at a maximum dosage of 12 g (a.i.)/ha and at a concentration not exceeding 0.016% of active ingredient.