ENZYMATIC-ACTIVITIES REGISTERED IN GUT TI SSUES OF PODISUS-MACULIVENTRIS [HEM, PENTATOMIDAE]

Twenty enzymatic activities of the gut tissues of nymphs and adults of Podisus maculiventris (Say) have been determined using mainly the API ZYM(R) micromethod. The activities registered increased progressively when the nymphs reached the last instar. The zymogmmmes of the adults arc almost identical to those obtained from the 5th-instar nymphs and almost no differences were recorded between the two sexes. From the r ecorded values it seems that there are a lot of similarities between T he enzymatic system of nymphs and adults. due, very probably, to their identical feeding regimen. The enzymatic equipment of the gut tissues of this predator was found to be rich in phosphatase, esterase. amino peptidase and carbohydrase activities.