A Semimicrotechnique for the Estimation of Cholinesterase Activity in Boll Weevils1

Abstract

Hestrin's colorimetric method was modified to allow a consistent measurement of the comparatively low cholinesterase activity found in the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis Boheman. The technique yielded results which were independent of the amount of insect material present; and if the established limits of the technique were not exceeded, the results varied only slightly in consecutive analyses. Sixty or more analyses often were made concurrently.