Bulletin of Entomological Research (1992) 82, 547-552

J. Zdárek and D.L. Denlinger (1992)
Disruption of Glossina morsitans morsitans (Diptera: Glossinidae) eclosion behaviour: a novel method for evaluating the action of neurotoxic agents
Bulletin of Entomological Research 82 (4), 547-552
Abstract: As the tsetse fly, Glossina morsitans morsitans Westwood extricates itself from the puparium and moves upward through the soil the ptilinum expands and contracts rhythmically and thus generates, a stereotypic behavioural pattern that persists for up to 10 h if the tsetse fly remains confined. The response, which is easily recorded tensometrically from the movements of the ptilinum, can be exploited as a tool for evaluating the behavioural response of tsetse flies to various neurotoxic agents. The behavioural assay proves useful in providing precise information about the latency of the response and lethal time, and can suggest likely modes of action. For example, sublethal doses of pyrethroids reversibly suppressed the contraction cycles, a response consistent with the peripheral action of this insecticide. In contrast, chlorinated hydrocarbons greatly increased contraction frequency, a result consistent with the action of these agents on the central nervous system (CNS). Assays utilizing eight commercial insecticide preparations (Pybuthrin, K-othrin, Vaztak, Reldan, Safrotin, Actellic, DDVP, Antrix) demonstrate the utility of this method for detecting subtle perturbations of the CNS and neuromuscular system.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): David L. Denlinger

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
control - general

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Glossina morsitans