The life cycle of the tsetse fly.

Twenty-two species of blood-feeding tsetse fly are found in tropical Africa, several of which carry the trypanosome parasite that causes African sleeping sickness in man and ngana in cattle and other domesticated animals. This video gives a detailed account of the life-cycle of the tsetse fly, with special reference to Glossina morsitans. The fly does not lay eggs but gives birth to one living larva at a time, which burrows into the earth and pupates. When the pupa hatches, the adult fly struggles to the surface and goes in search of its first blood meal. Each of these stages is shown in detail.