General Aspects

Tsetse flies occur in the tropical and subtropical regions of sub-Saharan Africa, approximately 15° N to 26° S. Species in the fusca group are most often found in forested habitats, such as rain, swamp and mangrove forests (forests cover most of the western and central African distribution areas of the palpalis group). Species in the palpalis group occur among vegetation around lakes and along rivers and streams (primarily along watercourses in western and central Africa). The morsitans group, with the exception of the forest-dwelling Glossina austeni, occurs in open country and is most often found in dry thickets, scrub vegetation, and areas of savannah woodland (primarily central and southeastern distribution).