Antennal molecular responses in tsetse fly to blood feeding

Tsetse flies are obligate hematophagous insects and locate their preferred hosts blood meal sources through chemosensory genes, located in the their antennae. The goal of this study was to identify chemosensory genes/transcripts functionally associated with blood feeding and by extension, hunger in Glossina morsitans morsitans tsetse fly. Since hungry tsetse flies naturally prefer host seeking for their blood meal than fed flies, the findings will shed light on chemosensory genes putatively influencing host seeking behavior in the tsetse fly.