Abstract:

 The effect of the flight on the activities of energy metabolism related enzymes in the flight muscles of the Oriental armyworm moth, Mythimna separata females was studied. These enzymes measured were glyceraldehydes phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GDH), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (HOAD). In the first 5 min of the tethered-flight of 3 day-old moth, activities of all the enzymes related to carbohydrate and lipid metabolism increased rapidly,enzymes related to lipid metabolism were completely activated, and the activities of HOAD were significantly strengthened. But in flight duration from 5th to 60th min, the activities of all energymetabolism related enzymes decreased,suggesting that the flight was going to be stabilized. High levels of GDH and LDH activities during flight suggested that both aerobic and anaerobic metabolism happened in flight muscle. The ratio of HOAD∶GAPDH suggested that not only lipids but also carbohydrates in the female could be involved as energy substrates in the process of flight activity.

Key words: Mythimna separata, tetheredflight, enzyme activity, HOAD, GAPDH