Genetic Analysis of Esterases in the Citrus Red Mite, Panonychus citri(MCGREGOR)(Acari:Tetranychidae)

Abstract

A genetic study of non-specific esterases of the citrus red mite, Panonychus citri (McGREGOR), was carried out by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The stained colors indicated that the α-naphthyl acetate (NA) was hydrolyzed more than the β-NA in the faster bands (α-Est), while the β-NA was mainly hydrolyzed in the slower bands (β-Est). The slower bands of α-Est (α-Est1) showed a remarkable polymorphism. The result of genetic analysis demonstrated that α-Est1 consisted of dimeric esterases and that the proteins were ruled by a single locus with two alleles.