THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN FOOD AND DIGESTIVE ENZYMES IN FIVE SPECIES OF ANTS (HYMENOPTERA: FORMICIDAE)

Abstract

AbstractResults of the analyses for digestive enzymes in the glands and midguts of five species of ants showed that invertase is usually secreted by the maxillary glands, amylase by the salivary glands, and protease and lipase by the midgut. Lipase was found in the post-pharyngeal glands but observations indicate that it is not associated with the digestion of ingested food. Differences in the activity of the enzymes in different species tended to reflect the feeding habits of the ants.