Distribution of Tsetse Fly in Selected Sites of Upper Omo Belt, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

The study of distribution of tsetse fly was carried out in selected sites of upper Omo belt, Southern Ethiopia. The purposes of study were to identify tsetse species involved in the area, to recognize the abundance of tsetse fly and to realize the community knowledge about the impact of tsetse fly. Community members of Badaye and Ajora Gadala Peasant Association’s (PA) (n=16) were interviewed using prepared questionnaire format. The study was conducted during early wet season. For both savanna and riverine tsetse species catches, biconical traps which are the most widely used traps were used. Traps were baited with cow urine and acetone (fly attractants). For sampling purpose totally 10 biconical traps were deployed along Omo River tributaries of each Badaye and Gadala PA’s. The traps were positioned around animal grazing and watering points for both savanna and riverine species, respectively. The collected catches of tsetse flies were identified, sexed, counted & recorded. The result of questionnaire revealed that all respondents know that tsetse fly transmit animal trypanosomosis which is prevalent for more than 40 years in the area. All of them responded that both the trend of tsetse and animal trypanosomosis is decreasing. Out of respondents of Badaye and Ajora Gadala PA’s 67% and 33% depend on Veterinary clinics and black markets to treat their animals, respectively. They responded that they use to treat each animal two times per year. During the study period two species of tsetse flies were identified. These were G. pallidipes and G. fuscipes. In Badaya PA both G. Pallidipes and G. fuscipes catches were registered. The catches were 0.05f/t/d and 0.11f/t/d for G. pallidipes and G. fuscipes, respectively. In Ajora Gadala PA only G. Pallidipes was caught from grazing areas of AJacho River. Based on these results it is possible to conclude that, as a result of change in tsetse habitat and tsetse control interventions so far done, the registered low abundance of tsetse fly and the changes occurred in the distribution have negative impact on animal trypanosomosis. Therefore, it needs to increase the cattle population in the study area in order to alleviate the poverty of the society.

Keywords: Abundance, Distribution, Omo belt, Poverty, Trypanosomosis, Tsetse fly