Common name : Tik-tik fly
Scientific name : Glossina
Family : Glossinidae
Native to : Mid-continent Africa
Interesting fact : Tsetse flies have been known to be around for more than 34 million years, with fossilized flies being found in the fossil beds in Colorado.
Relatively large in size with adults measuring up to at least 1.0-1.5 cm in length, unlike other flies the tsetse flies can completely fold their wings when they sit. Their diet is comprised of blood, which they suck from vertebrate animals and humans. Since this fly causes diseases in animals making them weak or killing them, farmers are prevented from carrying out mixed farming in rural parts of Africa, causing huge problems and poverty.
