The amylase system of Drosophila—II : Effects of development and diet on amylase activity in Drosophila pseudoobscura

Two baseline aspects of regulation of the Amylase system of Drosophila pseudoobscura were studies in respect to amylase activity: developmentally associated changes and the effects of diet (medium). Two strains of D. pseudoobscura were used. One was isogenic for the Amy 1.0 allele and the other was isogenic for the Amy 0.84 allele. Both strains gave similar results. The dietary studies demonstrated that highest amylase activity is seen in flies reared on starch medium. The developmental studies gave results which were more ambiguous and depended in part on how the activity was calculated. In general, adults had the highest activity compared with the other developmental stages examined. No differences between the sexes were detected.