By the tsetse fly, for if you go wrong,
You'll suffer great pain, and you will
Assuredly be very ill.
A parasite inside the fly
Will cause sleeping sickness, that's why
Scientists' knowledge to tap
'T was decided, its genome to map.
The tsetse fly's ways are unique,
And that's why it was quite a trick
To find the twin females they need
For the DNA tests to succeed.
Most insects lay eggs in a batch
Of hundreds, and hope some will hatch.
The tsetse lays one, which it nurses
With milk that its body produces...
But lately it became clear:
The tsetse's genome is now here!
And they hope with its genes they can mess,
Which will finally bring great success.
And when sleeping sickness is gone,
The'll shout and they'll sing, every one:
“We won! We won! Heavens to Betsy,
We've finally conquered the tsetse!...