Epoxide hydrase activity and its relationship to development in the southern armyworm, Prodenia eridania

Enzymatic epoxide hydration of the cyclodiene insecticide HEOM by the southern armyworm was investigated throughout the late larval, pupal and adult stages of development. Epoxide hydrase activity reaches a maximum in the period between ecdysis of the last instar and the larval-pupal ecdysis, decreases during pupal life and becomes essentially zero following adult emergence. Comparison was made with variations occurring in juvenile hormone hydrase activity, and the significance of these age-dependent changes in relation to regulation of insect development are discussed.