Tsetse-fly physiology. A review of recent advances and current aims.

A review of the literature on tsetse-fly physiology published during the last decade shows that substantial advances have been made in elucidation of the problem of water balance, and in the fields of reproductive and developmental physiology. It is suggested that further studies of reproduction, with particular reference to the reproductive potential of natural populations, are urgently needed; and also that research could fruitfully be directed towards an assessment of the role of starvation as a controlling factor in population dynamics. The author considers that such major projects would stand a better chance of success if they are centred on African research institutes, where a close integration between field and laboratory work can be sustained.