Evaluation of Different Blood Feeding Frequencies on Glossina Palpalis Gambiensis Performance in A Mass Rearing Insectary

Abstract Background: In tsetse flies mass rearing insectaries, the sustainable supply of high-quality blood meals is the main challenge, especially in Africa. Because collection of high-quality and quantity of blood may be an important constraint to production, blood feeding frequency can be a lever to lessen this impact. Therefore, this study evaluates three blood feeding frequencies on G. p. gambiensis colony performance.Methods: Three blood feeding treatments, i.e. three, four and six times per week, were evaluated on female’s survival, productivity, and progeny emergence rate and flight ability. Results: Females survival was significantly higher for flies feed four times per week (87%) than three (72%) and six times (78%, p<0.05). Productivity was similar between flies feed four and six times per week (457 and 454 larvae) but significantly reduced when fed three times (280 larvae produced; p<0.05). Similarly, emergence rate and flight ability rate were both similar between flies feed four (97 and 94%) and six times (96 and 97%) per week but significantly reduced when fed three times (89 and 84% respectively; p<0.05).Conclusions: Blood feeding frequency could be reduced to four times per week without affecting the mass rearing production and progeny quality. We discuss the implications of these results on tsetse mass rearing production.