S. Mihok et al., ATTRACTIVENESS OF BLACK RHINOCEROS (DICEROS-BICORNIS) TO TSETSE-FLIES(GLOSSINA SPP) (DIPTERA, GLOSSINIDAE) AND OTHER BITING FLIES, Bulletin of entomological research, 86(1), 1996, pp. 33-41
During translocations of black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis Linnaeus)
in Kenya, we studied the relationships between the rhinoceros and biti
ng flies. In trapping experiments, rhinoceros waste products (urine or
dung) were substituted for known attractants such as cow urine, 1-oct
en-3-ol or acetone. Catches of Glossina pallidipes Austen, Glossina lo
ngipennis Corti, Stomoxys spp., and Haematopota spp. were not affected
by these substitutions. NG2G and Vavoua traps sited near captive anim
als caught similar numbers and kinds of flies as traps set without ani
mals. Any minor attractive properties of rhinoceros odours were probab
ly due to the presence of known attractants such as 4-cresol and 3-n-p
ropylphenol, which were confirmed to be present through gas chromatogr
aphy-mass spectroscopy. In feeding trials with laboratory-reared tsets
e, Glossina brevipalpis Newstead and Glossina morsitans centralis Mach
ado fed well on immobilized animals, whereas G. longipennis fed reluct
antly. Catches of G. brevipalpis were doubled in one trapping experime
nt when rhinoceros urine was used as odour bait. Philoliche spp., Haem
atopota spp, and other Tabanidae fed on captive rhinoceroses. Many spe
cies of Stomoxyinae were associated with rhinoceroses. Of these, the m
ost frequent association was with Rhinomusca dutoiti Zumpt, a species
found previously only in South Africa. Rhinomusca dutoiti was found in
two highland rhinoceros sanctuaries, Nairobi National Park and Solio
Ranch Game Reserve.