Activity of glutathione transferase and reductase in tissues of bird cherry-oat aphid during its host-plant alternation

Changes in activity of detoxifying enzymes, involved in metabolism of gluta thione in bird cherry-oat aphid during its host alternation have been inves tigated. Glutathione transferase (GST) and glutathione reductase (GR) activ ity was found in homogenates from tissues of the bird cherry-oat aphid, Rho palosiphum padi (L.). The highest activity of the enzymes was recorded in w inged migrants that fly from bird cherry (Prunus padus L.), the winter host onto cereals a summer host. Before the migration an increase in activity o f the glutathione transferase and glutathione reductase within tissues of w inged migrants was observed. When the migrants started to feed on cereals, GST activity further increased and GR activity decreased. The significance of the R. padi glutathione transferase and reductase in detoxification of p lant allelochemicals while the aphid host-plants alternation is discussed.