Abstract
Esterase activity of the citrus red mite, Panonychus citri (MCGREGOR), on citrus and pear in different habitats was studied by thin layer electrophoresis. The esterases hydrolysing β-naphthylacetate in the citrus red mite were separated into 6 bands. E1, E2, E3, E4 and E5 bands were detected in the mites of the non-diapausing strain, while in the diapausing strain only E4, E5 and E6 bands were observed. In the mites of the non-diapausing strain, the activity of E3 bands was high in group on citrus and low in that on pear. When the mites of the non-diapausing strain on pear were reared with citrus leaves for one generation, the activity of their E3 band changed and became higher. It became low when the mites on citrus were reared with pear leaves for two generations.
