BLOOD MEAL SOURCES OF GLOSSINA-PALLIDIPES AND G-LONGIPENNIS (DIPTERA,GLOSSINIDAE) IN NGURUMAN, SOUTHWEST KENYA

In total, 1,952 Glossina pallidipes Austen and 1,098 G. longipennis Co rti adults were collected in forest and savanna habitat in Nguruman, s outhwestern Kenya, by NG2G traps during the dry season of 1992. Of the se, 339 individuals (11.1%) had blood meals, of which 155 (45.7%) were identified by direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The most freq uent blood meal source was bushbuck, followed by ostrich, elephant, bu ffalo, and warthog. Few meals were taken from cattle. The finding of f requent blood meals from ostriches is new for G. pallidipes and may in dicate that ostriches are an important host. More detailed work on the role of ostriches in the epidemiology of trypanosomiasis is required.