The use of deep frozen, stored bovine blood for in vitro feeding of tsetse flies.

A method of blood preparation is described which resulted in the successful rearing of Glossina p. palpalis with in vitro feeding. Cells of defibrinated bovine blood were washed in 0.89% NaCl solution prior to deep-freezing. Cells and serum were stored (--28 degrees C) for up to four months. For feeding, both components were mixed in the volumetric proportion 1 : 1. Adenosine triphosphate was added at a concentration of 10-3 M to stimulate uptake of blood. Survival rate and mean weight of puparia remained constant over three generations while productivity increased.