The Modulated Sounds Made by the Tsetse Fly Glossina Brevipalpis Newstead

Abstract

The modulated sounds made by Glossina brevipalpis are physiologically and reflexly induced phenomena, produced by muscular vibrations in the pterothorax. The patterns and physical nature of the calls and songs were investigated acoustically, spectrographically and oscilloscopically to explore the possibility of a syntactical content. The findings are compatible with a concept of sound-motivated behaviour, which offers a new approach to the study of tsetse fly behaviour.