Mapping the fly: mechanistic and statistical models of tsetse spatial distribution and dispersal — a scoping review

Tsetse flies, the biological vectors of trypanosomes, represent a key constraint for food security in 38 sub-Saharan African countries. They cause sleeping sickness in humans and nagana in domestic animals. The distribution of tsetse is largely determined by climate, habitat, altitude and the presence of suitable host animals. Knowledge of the tsetse fly’s environment and movement pattern has implications for control of the fly. This work aims to describe dispersal and the spatial distribution of tsetse flies and the climatic and environmental factors that affect it. This is done through a scoping review to synthesise the types of mathematical and statistical models used in tsetse literature. Online databases were used as the main source to find articles published between 1950 and 2025. Articles that specifically looked at spatial dynamics of tsetse populations were included in the final synthesis. Ninety-one articles were included in the final synthesis. Seventy-one articles were statistical and twenty were mechanistic; most of the work focussed on Glossina pallidipes , with air temperature, rainfall and NDVI as the main climatic/environmental factors used. In an effort to ensure long-term sustainability of future programmes in a more difficult funding climate, there is currently an on-going reappraisal of tactics. Robust data-driven approaches are required to support decision making and for an optimised approach to control strategies.