Cover Image for PNAS

This image accompanied an article (Aksoy et al.) describing the dynamics and physiology associated with trypanosome infection of tsetse flies.

Science Cover for the Tsetse Fly Genome Paper

Nutritional regulation of reproduction in the Yellow Fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti

This figure was developed to illustrate the molecular biology behind the activation of egg development by nutritional components derived from vertebrate blood.

Yolk Protein Synthesis, Secretion and Uptake.

This figure illustrates the fat body based synthesis of mosquito yolk proteins, their secretion and uptake by developing eggs within the ovaries.

Bedbug Genome Overview

This illustration was done to summarize the findings from the Bedbug genome paper.

Published in: Benoit, J. B. Z. N. Adelman, et al. (bedbug sequencing consortium). 2015. Unique features of a global human ectoparasite identified through sequencing of the bed bug genome. Nature Communications (in Press).

Effects of Trypanosome Infection on Gut and Salivary Tissues

This figure illustrates the physiology of the tsetse digestive tract and the effects of trypanosome infection on the tsetse salivary glands.

Published in: International Glossina Genome Initiative. Genome sequence of the tsetse fly (Glossina morsitans): vector of African trypanosomiasis. Science. 2014 Apr 25;344(6182):380-6.

Diagrammatic presentation of milk gland secretory cell physiology and milk production during lactation and after parturition

This figure diagrams the molecular events occurring during the lactation (left panel) and non-lactation (right panel) states in the milk gland of the tsetse fly.

Published in: International Glossina Genome Initiative. Genome sequence of the tsetse fly (Glossina morsitans): vector of African trypanosomiasis. Science. 2014 Apr 25;344(6182):380-6.

Interactions between Tsetse Flies, Bacterial Symbionts and African Trypanosomes

This figure illustrates the general interrelationships between Tsetse flies, their symbiotic bacteria and the parasitic trypanosomes that cause African Sleeping Sickness.

Tsetse reproductive cycle and intrauterine larval development

Schematic of the first gonotrophic cycle of a Glossina morsitans female under optimal environmental and nutritional conditions. The different stages of oogenesis, embryogenesis, and larvigenesis within the Glossina reproductive tract (ovaries and uterus) are shown.

Published in: Benoit JB, Attardo GM, Baumann AA, Michalkova V, Aksoy S. Adenotrophic Viviparity in Tsetse Flys: Potentials for Population Control and as an Insect Model of Lactation. Annu Rev Entomol. 2015

Tsetse Reproductive Physiology

This figure illustrates the reproductive physiology associated with the viviparous reproductive cycle of tsetse flies.

Comparative morphology of Dipteran Reproductive Organs

Illustrations of reproductive tract morphology from (a) Drosophila and (b) Glossina. (c) Magnified view of the Glossina milk gland tubules. (d ) Intrauterine wall and choriothete structure.

In situ Staining of the Wigglesworthia Symbiont in Tsetse Milk Gland Tubules

This figure visualizes the localization of the Wigglesworthia symbiont within the lumen of the tsetse milk gland tubules. The illustration is derived from the in situ staining in the left panel.

Model for the role of JH/IIS signaling in mediating lipid level changes associated with tsetse pregnancy

Diagrammatic representation of hormonal regulation of lipid anabolism and catabolism during the lactating and non-lactating stages of the tsetse reproductive cycle.

Published in: Baumann AA, Benoit JB, Michalkova V, Mireji PO, Attardo GM, Moulton JK, Wilson TG, Aksoy S. Juvenile hormone and insulin suppress lipolysis between periods of lactation during tsetse fly pregnancy. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2013;372(1-2):30-41.