The vector that transmit trypanosome is the

1. Analyze the question The question asks which vector (an organism that carries a disease-causing agent from one host to another) transmits Trypanosoma, the parasite.

2. Explain the concept Trypanosoma is a protozoan parasite that lives in the blood. In Africa, the species Trypanosoma brucei gambiense and T. b. rhodesiense cause African sleeping sickness (human African trypanosomiasis). In cattle, trypanosomes cause nagana, which is a serious problem for livestock farming in Nigeria.

3. Go through the options

• A. Butterfly: Feeds on nectar and does not transmit blood parasites.
• B. Housefly: Spreads germs mechanically, such as cholera, typhoid and dysentery, but does not transmit trypanosomes.
• C. Mosquito: Anopheles transmits Plasmodium (malaria), Aedes transmits yellow fever and dengue, and Culex transmits filariasis. It does not transmit trypanosomes.
• D. Tsetse fly (Glossina species): A blood-sucking fly. When it bites an infected person or animal, it picks up the trypanosomes. They develop in the fly, and the fly passes them to the next host through its bite.

4. Answer The correct option is D. tsetse fly.

5. Exam tip Memorize the pairs of parasite and vector:

• Plasmodium → female Anopheles mosquito (malaria)
• Trypanosoma → Tsetse fly (sleeping sickness)
• Wuchereria → Culex mosquito (elephantiasis)
• Onchocerca → Simulium blackfly (river blindness)

A simple memory trick: "Try the Tsetse". Both Trypanosoma and Tsetse have a "T" sound, so you can link them easily.