Microsomal oxidases in the flesh fly ( Sarcophaga bullata Parker) and the black blow fly [ Phormia regina (Meigen)

Abstract

The microsomal oxidase system in the flesh fly ( Sarcophaga bullata Parker) and the black blow fly [ Phormia regina (Meigen)] was examined using aldrin as substrate. In both species the oxidase requires NADPH and is inhibited by CO and by piperonyl butoxide. The enzyme activity changes significantly during larval development, reaching a maximum shortly before puparium formation then declining during the pupal stage and increasing again in adults. Dietary sodium phenobarbital at 0. 1– 0.5% increases the oxidase activity up to 60- and 56-fold in the larvae of blow flies and flesh flies, respectively.