Evaluation of different blood feeding frequencies on Glossina palpalis gambiensis performance in a mass-rearing insectary

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Abstract Background: In tsetse fly mass-rearing insectaries, the sustainable supply of high quality blood meals is the main challenge, especially in Africa. Because the collection of high quality blood in large quantities may be an important constraint to production, blood feeding frequency can be a lever to lessen its impact. Therefore, this study evaluates three blood feeding frequencies on Glossina palpalis gambiensis colony performance.Methods: Three effects of blood feeding treatments - three, four and six times per week - were evaluated on female survival and productivity over a 30-day period. Progeny emergence rate and flight ability were also evaluated.Results: Female survival was significantly higher for flies fed four times per week (87%) than three (72%) and six times (78%; p<0.05). Productivity was similar between flies fed 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 fed four times (97% and 94%) and six times (96% and 97%) per week but significantly reduced when fed three times per week (89% and 84%, respectively; p<0.05).Conclusions: Blood feeding frequency could be reduced to four times per week without affecting mass-rearing production and progeny quality. We discuss the implications of these results on tsetse mass-rearing production.