On the role of blue shadows in the visual behaviour of tsetse flies

Steverding, Dietmar and Troscianko, Tom (2004) On the role of blue shadows in the visual behaviour of tsetse flies. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 271 (Suppl. 3). S16-S17. ISSN 0962-8452

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Abstract

Tsetse flies (Glossina spp.), the vector for African trypanosomiasis, are highly attracted by blue and black surfaces. This phototactic behaviour has long been exploited to trap tsetse flies as one measure in the control of African trypanosomiasis. However, why blue and black are so attractive for tsetse flies is still unknown. We propose that the combination of blue and black is attractive for many Glossina species because when searching for a shady resting place to pass the day, the flies are probably guided by the blueness and darkness of daytime shadows. In contrast to people's experience that daytime shadows are colourless, actually on a sunny day all shadows are tinted bluish by the scattered blue skylight.

Item Type:	Article
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Gastroenterology and Gut Biology
Depositing User:	EPrints Services
Date Deposited:	25 Nov 2010 11:08
Last Modified:	24 Oct 2022 02:47
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/11505
DOI:	10.1098/rsbl.2003.0121

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