Entomology Unit
Tsetse flies
Field cage mating compatibility
It is often asked whether there is good mating compatibility between mass reared and wild flies and also between flies from different geographical regions. The rearing of tsetse flies for use in SIT programmes now envisage mass rearing facilities that supply field programmes in distant locations. Mass rearing conditions and sterilization produce changes in sexual behaviour that may affect compatibility and competitiveness of released sterile insects and reduce the effectiveness of the SIT. It is therefore important for field programme managers to source flies that meet their programme requirements. Undoubtedly compatibility and competitiveness with the local wild strains are major factors to be considered. Field cage tests have been developed to assess these attributes based on the tests developed for fruit flies. Quantitative descriptions using certain indices can be applied to provide a recognisable measure of quality.