Microsatellite DNA sequences were found in insectarium samples of G.palpalis gambiensis and were subsequently used to amplify DNA from natural populations in West Africa. Genetic differences between Senegal and Burkina Faso populations were found at two microsatellite loci; population differenciation was also investigated at a smaller scale in a cattle-raising area in Burkina Faso. Morphometric studies were conducted on the wings of the same flies using a CIRAD-ORSTOM package of semi- automatic measures. Implications of these new data combined with field surveys are discussed regarding potential differences of vectorial capacity of the flies.