The Tsetse (Glossina) is a genus of two winged brown and yellow flies found in Africa that carries the Trypanosomeparasite which causes sleeping sickness.
The Tsetse are natives of tropical Africa with about fifteen species varying from 6 mm to 12 mm long, and with their wings closed resembling the common housefly, but the wings are twice the length of the hind-body, and the mouth-parts are developed into a piercing and sucking organ longer than the head. The females retain their eggs and nourish their larvae until that stage is all but complete, when the grubs are deposited singly and at once begin to bury themselves for pupation.
The flies affect cover near water afforded by reeds, bushes or forest, and avoid the open grassy plains. Country affording suitable cover is known as 'fly-belts' which were found impassable by early explorers with animals and men alike being struck down by sleeping sickness. Research Tsetse
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Nature
Research Tsetse