PECTINASE IN CERTAIN INSECTS

Abstract

Pectinase was found in the saliva of 23 species of aphids, one species of leafhopper, and one species of adelgid. The enzyme was not found in four species of aphids in their apterous form, and one species of psyllid, or in the saliva of the alate form of five species of aphids that contained pectinase in the apterous form. These results emphasize the need to consider each form of a species of aphid individually. The discussion considers similarities in the mode of tissue penetration by fungi and insects, and briefly the possibility that cell wall digestion by pectinase may facilitate the extraction of virus particles by insect vectors.