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NOTES ON TSETSE - FLIES AND ON PKOPHYLACTIC 

 MEASURES AGAINST SLEEPING SICKNESS IN THE 

 WESTERN PROVINCE OF ASHANTI. 



By T. E. Fell, 



Provincial Commissioner ', Ashanti. 



Glossina fusca and G. palpalis are prevalent throughout the Western Province 

 of Ashanti, the latter being much the most common species. They both occur 

 in dense jungle, but the type of bush most favourable for them appears to be 

 the scrub and smaller forest which occurs in the dividing line of country between 

 the dense jungle and typical " orchard " grass bush. Scrub of a height of three 

 or four feet upwards appears to be sufficient to harbour these insects. 



G. pallicera, of which a fair number of specimens were captured during the 

 year, appears under conditions similar to those favourable to G. palpalis, but is 

 far more uncommon than either that species or G. fusca. 



Although all these flies may be more prevalent in the immediate neighbour- 

 hood of water, I have constantly observed them far removed from water, or 

 where water-courses and water-holes have been dry for many weeks. In all 

 localities during the rains, roughly from April to November, water and swamps 

 are plentifully scattered over the whole country. 



G. longipalpis, a common species, is prevalent in the " orchard " grass bush 

 and has been observed at considerable distances from water ; nor does it 

 apparently require the shade necessary to G. palpalis. I have, however, 

 captured this species in forest, but never far removed (300-400 yards) from 

 grass areas. 



Seasons of prevalence. 



The genus Glossina practically disappears from December to the end of 

 March, though a few odd specimens may be seen during that period. In my 

 diary I find the entry, " 26th and 27th March ; two or three Glossina seen — the 

 first for some months." The first heavy rain showers of February and March, 

 which produce Haematopota, Hippocentrum and Tabanus in numbers, do not 

 seem to affect the appearance of Glossina to any great extent, and it is not till 

 the rains are more thoroughly established that Glossina appear to emerge. 

 They are then prevalent, though never in very great quantities, throughout the 

 rains till the dry season is well established and do not appear and disappear in 

 thousands as do the broods of the above-mentioned Tabanidae. 



Clearing at Sunyani. 



At Sunyani an effective clearing of 300 to 700 yards round the European 

 quarters has been made with much labour and at considerable expense. 

 Certainly, to a great extent, tsetse-flies have disappeared from this clearing, but 

 it is usual during the rainy months for odd ones to appear almost daily in the 

 European quarters. The constant labour of 30 to 50 men a day, apart from 

 military assistance, is required to keep this clearing effective during the rains 

 and to increase it during the dry season. Doubh grass has been planted over 

 (26B02— 2.) Wt. Pll— 21. 1000. 11/12. D & S. A 



