• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.291-299
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• 1993

Midgut tissues from 4 insect specIes were exammed for the activity of cytochrome P-450 monooxygenases, a major enzyme involved in chemical detoxification. When Helicoverpa assulta larvae were reared on an artificial d;et, the specific activity of the midgut cytochrome P-450 monooxygenases (MFO) was :3 times higher than that of the fat body, The specific activity of the midgut cytochrome P-450 monooxygenases was higher in H. assul/a larvae when reared on Nicotiana tabacum leaves than when on CapsIcum annuum fruits or an artificial diet. In the case of Hyphantria cunea larvae, Tilia megaphyllo leaves were the best in inducing midgut cytochrome P-450 monooxygenases activity. When larvae of H. assulta, Spodoptera exigua, H. cunea and Spodoptera litura were reared on their own artificial diet, the highest activity was seen in S. exigua larvae which is a polyphagous and insecticide-resistant strain.