Unlike most insect species that produce large quantities of eggs, fertilized female tsetse flies “give birth” to one larva. A typical female tsetse fly will produce one full grown larva approximately every 9-10 days depending on temperature and humidity. A single egg will hatch and develop to a third-stage larva in the uterus of the female fly, where it is nurtured and supplied with nutrients. This reproductive process is known as adenotrophic viviparity . This form of reproduction ensures the higher degree of survival of each offspring, but is also the reason why reproductive rates are considerably low in tsetse fly populations. Larviposition takes place when the third-instar larva is deposited onto a suitable site, usually soil or sand depending on the species, and the larva burrows down to its optimum depth to become a pupa. Usually an adult fly will emerge after the puparial period which varies according to temperature but on average is around 30 days at 24°C. Longevity of the adult fly varies greatly according to seasonal factors. For the general tsetse population to increase, it is critical that the average female lifespan exceed 36 days. During perfect conditions, female flies can live as long as 3 months, producing as much 10 offspring during her lifetime.
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| Anatomy Of A Female Tsetse Fly |
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