Attractiveness of black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) to tsetse flies (Glossinaspp.) (Diptera: Glossinidae) and other biting flies

AbstractDuring translocations of black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornisLinnaeus) in Kenya, we studied the relationships between the rhinoceros and biting flies. In trapping experiments, rhinoceros waste products (urine or dung) were substituted for known attractants such as cow urine, l-octen-3-ol or acetone. Catches ofGlossina pallidipesAusten,Glossina longipennisCorti,Stomoxysspp., andHaematopotaspp. were not affected by these substitutions. NG2G and Vavoua traps sited near captive animals caught similar numbers and kinds of flies as traps set without animals. Any minor attractive properties of rhinoceros odours were probably due to the presence of known attractants such as 4-cresol and 3-n-propylphenol, which were confirmed to be present through gas chromatography—mass spectroscopy. In feeding trials with laboratory-reared tsetse,Glossina brevipalpisNewstead andGlossina morsitanscentralis Machado fed well on immobilized animals, whereasG. longipennisfed reluctantly. Catches ofG. brevipalpiswere doubled in one trapping experiment when rhinoceros urine was used as odour bait.Philolichespp.,Haematopotaspp. and other Tabanidae fed on captive rhinoceroses. Many species of Stomoxyinae were associated with rhinoceroses. Of these, the most frequent association was withRhinomusca dutoitiZumpt, a species found previously only in South Africa.Rhinomusca dutoitiwas found in two highland rhinoceros sanctuaries, Nairobi National Park and Solio Ranch Game Reserve.