Levels of Salivary Enzymes of <i>Apolygus Lucorum</i> (Hemiptera: Miridae), From 1^st Instar Nymph to Adult, and Their Potential Relation to Bug Feeding

Abstract

<div><p>In recent years, <i>Apolygus lucorum</i> has caused increasing damage to cotton and fruit trees in China. The salivary enzymes secreted by <i>A</i>. <i>lucorum</i> when sucking on host plants induce a series of biochemical reactions in plants, and the pre-oral digestion benefits the bug feeding. In this study, the food intake of <i>A</i>. <i>lucorum</i> from 1^st instar nymphs to adults was measured, and the corresponding salivary activity of pectinase, amylase, cellulase, protease, polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase was determined. Daily food intake varied with developmental stage, peaking in 3^rd and 4^th instar nymphs. Pectinase, amylase, cellulase and protease were detected in both nymphal and adult saliva of <i>A</i>. <i>lucorum</i>, while neither polyphenol oxidase nor peroxidase was detected. Protease activity varied with food intake peaking at the 3^rd-4^th instar, and then slightly decreasing at the 5^th instar. Levels of pectinase, amylase and cellulase increased significantly with the daily feeding level until the 3^rd instar, corresponding with increasing damage to host plants. The activity of both cellulase and protease had a significant linear relationship with the average daily food intake. The increasing activity of enzymes in saliva explain stage-specific impacts of <i>A</i>. <i>lucorum</i> on the host plants, and suggest that optimal management of <i>A</i>. <i>lucorum</i> would be confined to its control threshold prior to the peak of daily feeding in the 3^rd instar.</p></div