Comparative studies on the diurnal activity pattern in two field and laboratory populations of Glossina pallidipes

Publication Type

Journal Article

Journal Name

Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata

Publication Date

1-1-1982

Abstract

Comparisons were made in the field and in the laboratory of the diurnal activity patterns of Glossina pallidipes Austen in Kenya; Nkruman and Mwalewa. In the field, different diurnal activity patterns were found. Flies from Nkruman showed a late afternoon peak, especially for males, while flies from Mwalewa had a major activity peak in the morning, a smaller afternoon peak, and a clear midday depression. The activity of ♂ ♂ from both areas was positively correlated with temperature in the early morning and in the late afternoon. In the early afternoon, the activity of ♂ ♂ from Mwalewa was negatively correlated with temperature, while for Nkruman ♂ ♂ no correlation was found. Males from Mwalewa show the highest activity around 30°, while the highest activity for ♂ ♂ from Nkruman is found at around 34-36°. Laboratory studies showed that the total daily activity of ♂ ♂ from both areas increased with increasing hunger. At 24° the spontaneous activity pattern of ♂ ♂ from Nkruman showed a progressive increase in activity throughout the day, while that of ♂ ♂ from Mwalewa showed a midday peak. The results of the laboratory study on the spontaneous activity pattern help to understand the activity patterns observed in the field. The differences in spontaneous activity patterns, survival in relation to temperature, and the effect of temperature and hunger on these patterns, seem to be under genetic control. © 1982 Springer-Verlag.

Keywords

Allopatric populations, Diurnal activity pattern, Endogenous pattern, Glossina pallidipes, Population diversity, Spontaneous activity pattern

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