Surveillance and Mapping of Tsetse Fly Distribution Using GIS in Benue State Livestock Corridors, North Central Nigeria

Tsetse fly-transmitted trypanosomiasis continues to restrict livestock productivity and hinder agricultural development in the tsetse-infested zones of North Central Nigeria. Benue State, which straddles the tsetse belt, suffers recurring livestock losses that contribute to farmer-herder resource conflicts. Current distribution data for Glossina species in Benue State are outdated and insufficient for planning targeted control operations. This study conducts a GIS-assisted surveillance and mapping of tsetse fly distribution across the main livestock grazing corridors in Benue State. Biconical traps will be deployed at 60 GPS-referenced sites across five livestock corridors over two seasons. Trap data will be geocoded and integrated with remote sensing-derived land cover, NDVI, and elevation data in a GIS platform to model habitat suitability. Species composition of trapped flies will be determined morphologically. The resulting distribution maps will identify current tsetse risk zones and predict areas of potential range expansion under vegetation change scenarios. This study delivers actionable spatial intelligence for the Benue State Veterinary Services Department and the National Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Control Programme for deployment of odor-baited insecticidal targets and pour-on treatment of livestock. Keywords: tsetse flies, GIS mapping, livestock corridors, trypanosomiasis, Benue State