Protease, amylase and lipase activities in the midgut and hindgut of the cricket, Gryllus rubens and mole cricket, Scapteriscus acletus

Abstract

1. 1. Midgut is the major source of protease, amylase and lipase in a cricket, Gryllus rubens and in a mole cricket, Scapteriscus actetus. 2. 2. Hindgut makes a significant contribution, and possibly even the major contribution, to digestion in both crickets, with enzyme activities from 20% (amylase and lipase) to 30% (protease) of midgut level, and a pH favorable to action of all three. 3. 3. Ingested food helps regulate digestive enzyme levels, and crickets starved for 5 days had only 50–60% of normal levels of enzyme activity.