Sialic acids in the salivary glands of some insects with different feeding habits

Summary Eight insects (some adult and some larval forms) are studied for the presence of sialic acids in the cells of the salivary glands. This was sought by staining with alcian blue and Azure A at different pH accompanied by acid hydrolysis, sialidase digestion and methylation-saponification.On the basis of susceptibility to acid hydrolysis and sialidase digestion, different sialic acids are discernable. Though there is apparently no correlation between the secretion of sialic acid and the feeding habits of these insects, there is an interesting correlation between these two in the case of nectar and pollen eating habit of Apis.Presented at the 56th Session of Indian Science Congress. 2–9 January, 1969, Bombay, India.