A study of wing fray and ovarian age in females of Glossina morsitans centralis Machado in Botswana confirmed that although the relationship between the two was strong it varied from month to month. The rate of wing fray with age was greatest in the hot dry season, and in both very young and very old females it was affected by humidity. Both age and activity are manifested as fraying of the wings, but it is considered unlikely that wing fray could be used as a reliable measure of either. It is suggested that wing fray may impose a physiological limitation on the lifespan of tsetse flies and may consequently be a factor in population regulation.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
R. Allsopp (1985) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: